Why Ravens Should Sign Former Eagles LB

The Baltimore Ravens could use some linebacker help in free agency.

Jeremy Brener | May 9, 2024

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver David Moore (19) is tackled by / Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

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Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens linebacker room will be different this season following the departure of Patrick Queen to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

While Roquan Smith will lead the way, he needs a sidekick that will team up with him to form one of the most dangerous duos at the position in the league.

The Athletic suggests the idea of signing free agent linebacker Zach Cunningham, who played last season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Baltimore will give Trenton Simpson every opportunity to win the starting inside linebacker job alongside Roquan Smith," The Athletic writes. "The question is whether the Ravens feel they need more proven insurance behind him. They have Chris Board, but he’s started just three games in six seasons and is more of a core special teams guy. Josh Ross hasn’t played a defensive snap in a regular-season game in his career. Cunningham, meanwhile, started 10 games for the Philadelphia Eagles last year. He’s a 29-year-old veteran of seven NFL seasons and has made over 700 tackles in his career."

Simpson, a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is expected to earn the starting role next to Smith, and the team has a lot of confidence in him. However, if he doesn't work out like the Ravens expect him to do so, it could put them in a tough spot. That's why adding a veteran like Cunningham can only help the Ravens long-term.

Sure, Cunningham may not be the answer either. However, the more competition the Ravens bring in, the more likely they are going to get the best out of their players, which is why signing Cunningham makes a lot of sense.

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Published May 9, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.