Baltimore Ravens: Shane Ray leads cast of veteran signings
OLB Pernell McPhee (from Washington Redskins)
Who says you can’t come home again? When it comes to free agency, it’s not really uncommon anymore to see a player leave for a better opportunity and then return to the franchise that gave him his start.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
A fifth-round draft choice by the Baltimore Ravens in 2011, versatile Pernell McPhee enjoyed four seasons with the club as a top reserve. He played in 60 regular-season contests but made only six starts (all in 2012). He finished with a combined 17 sacks — including a career-best 7.5 sacks in 2014. He did enough that season to warrant interest as a free agent and the Chicago Bears came calling.
In his first season in the Windy City, McPhee played in 14 games and made 12 starts. He finished with 53 tackles, six sacks and an interception. After three seasons in which staying healthy proved to be an issue, 36 contests (17 starts) and a combined 14 sacks, the 6-3, 265-pound defensive standout was released by the club. He would resurface with the Washington Redskins this past year, playing in 13 games but registering only 11 tackles while failing to record a sack.
With the free-agent departures of outside linebackers Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith this offseason, the Ravens are certainly looking for depth in this department. But does the eight-year veteran have anything left in the pass-rushing tank?