Baltimore took a big step toward rebuilding its once-vaunted defense on Sunday, agreeing to terms with free-agent defensive end Elvis Dumervil.
The deal, first reported by The Denver Post’s Mike Klis, will make Dumervil a Raven for five years.
Dumervil was one of the NFL’s most dominant pass rushers throughout his six-year tenure with the Broncos, totaling 63 1/2 sacks and 16 forced fumbles, and only hit free agency after a highly publicized fax machine error voided an $8 million contract that would have the defensive end in Denver this season.
“As we have from the start of this process, we worked diligently over the last week to find a way for Elvis Dumervil to remain a Denver Bronco,” Broncos vice president John Elway said in a statement. “Although we made multiple contract offers to Elvis after being forced to release him, we were unable to reach an agreement and are now moving forward without him.”
The three-time Pro Bowler will provide a boost to a Ravens defense that has seemingly disintegrated since the team’s Super Bowl victory in February. Baltimore has already lost defensive starters Ed Reed, Bernard Pollard, Paul Kruger, Cary Williams and Dannell Ellerbe to free agency and Ray Lewis to retirement this offseason.
Adam Schefter reports that Dumervil’s deal is worth as much as $35 million over five years, with $12 million guaranteed.
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The Broncos are reportedly now turning their focus to veteran free agents John Abraham and Dwight Freeney to fill the void at defensive end.
