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BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens agreed to a three-year contract with defensive lineman Derek Wolfe and a four-year deal with linebacker Tyus Bowser before they became free agents.
General manager Eric DeCosta announced both deals on Tuesday, one day before the start of the new league year when potential free agents can sign with other teams.
A person familiar with the deal said that Wolfe's new contract is worth $12 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because terms were not released.
"We're back," Wolfe announced on Twitter.
The 31-year-old played 14 games with eight starts last season for the Ravens after signing a $3 million contract to join the team. He had one sack, six tackles for loss, 51 total tackles and four quarterback hits on the season.
Wolfe, a 2008 graduate of Beaver Local High School, is a nine-year NFL veteran. He played eight seasons with the Denver Broncos before joining the Ravens last season.
He has 34 career sacks, 52 tackles for loss and 81 quarterback hits. He had a career-high seven sacks in 12 games for Denver in 2019.
Wolfe's part of a defensive line rotation that also includes Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams and Justin Ellis for Baltimore.
Bowser's contract is worth a reported $22 million.
Keeping Bowser became a priority after Yannick Ngakoue and Matt Judon got big money from Las Vegas and New England, according to two people familiar with those deals who spoke on condition of anonymity because they can't be announced until Wednesday.
The 25-year-old Bowser is a versatile edge player capable of rushing the passer and dropping into coverage. He had two sacks, 14 quarterback hits and three interceptions last season for Baltimore.
Bowser, a second-round pick by the Ravens in 2017, had a career-high five sacks in 2019.
Linsley to Chargers
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) -- The Los Angeles Chargers are taking a huge step toward upgrading their offensive line, agreeing to terms on a five-year contract with All-Pro center Corey Linsley, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
NFL Network reported Linsley, who was an All-Ohioan at Boardman High School, will become the highest-paid center in the league at $62.5 million.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because teams can't announce free agent deals until the NFL's new league year begins Wednesday. Monday began the two-day "legal tampering" period when teams could reach out and start negotiating with unrestricted free agents.
The Chargers were also able to retain one of their own, re-signing cornerback Michael Davis for three years. The team officially announced the move Monday afternoon.
Linsley is expected to upgrade a Chargers offensive line that was one of the worst in the league last season. Los Angeles allowed the fourth-most hurries, putting Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert under heavy pressure. Linsley allowed a league-low four pressures last season among centers who played 13 or more games, while LA's Dan Feeney was tied for the most at 33.
Linsley, who spent the past seven seasons with Green Bay after being a fifth-round selection in 2014, will solidify a position in flux the past two seasons. Mike Pouncey signed with the Chargers in 2018 and went to the Pro Bowl before injuries sidelined him five games into 2019. Pouncey was on injured reserve last season and announced his retirement last month.
General manager Tom Telesco and new head coach Brandon Staley still have many needs to address on the line. Right guard Trai Turner was released last week, while left guard Forrest Lamp and left tackle Sam Tevi are slated to be unrestricted free agents. Linsley will be reunited with right tackle Bryan Bulaga, who signed with the Chargers last year but was hampered by injuries.
Retaining Davis became a bigger priority after Casey Hayward Jr. was released last weekend. Davis, going into his fifth season, led the Chargers in interceptions last season with three, including one returned for a touchdown. He started 14 games and had a career-best 63 tackles.