Ravens Lock In Awuzie, Bolster Secondary With Proven Cornerback

The Baltimore Ravens are keeping a key piece of their secondary intact. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie agreed to re-sign with the team on a one-year deal worth $5 million, the Ravens announced Thursday, according to reporting by The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec.

Awuzie's return marks a vote of confidence from the Ravens organization in a player who proved his value during his initial stint in Baltimore. Last offseason's signing of Awuzie was viewed as one of the Ravens' best free-agent acquisitions, and the team is banking on another strong year from the veteran defensive back to shore up a secondary that faced vulnerabilities during the 2025 season.

The signing is part of a broader defensive overhaul for Baltimore. Earlier this offseason, the Ravens signed edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million deal—a massive commitment that includes $60 million guaranteed and averages $28 million annually. The moves signal GM DeCosta's intent to build an elite defense around quarterback Lamar Jackson heading into the 2026 season.

The Ravens also restructured their roster in other areas, extending backup quarterback Tyler Huntley on a two-year, $11 million contract and signing offensive lineman John Simpson to a three-year, $30 million deal. Despite briefly pursuing a trade for edge rusher Maxx Crosby, the Ravens backed out of that agreement and pivoted to the Hendrickson signing instead.

With Awuzie locked in and a reinforced pass rush led by Hendrickson, the Ravens are positioning themselves to compete in a challenging AFC North division. The cornerback's familiarity with the system and proven performance make him a cornerstone of Baltimore's secondary strategy as they prepare for training camp.