John Harbaugh Confident in Ravens’ Safety Corps as Kyle Hamilton Signs Record $100.4M Extension
The Baltimore Ravens are heading into the season with a revamped safety group. But head coach John Harbaugh seems pretty chill about it. After the team’s preseason finale against the Washington Commanders, Harbaugh expressed confidence in his secondary’s depth and versatility [SI.com].
“I feel really good about those guys. I think all Malaki [Starks] is going to play really well. He’s a rookie… Kyle [Hamilton] – and then you’ve got Sanoussi [Kane], Beau [Brade] and Reuben [Lowery III]. Those guys are going to be a part of that, too… But I’m happy with the way those guys have played.”
The Ravens’ secondary has been a question mark, but recent moves do somewhat signal a commitment to stability. First-round pick Malaki Starks joins Kyle Hamilton, who signed a record $100.4 million extension on August 27, while veteran Jaire Alexander provides experience in the back end.
Week 1 sets the tone: the Ravens open Sunday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Success will hinge on the safeties’ ability to cover ground, communicate effectively, and force turnovers early. If the safety corps does the job right, the Ravens’ championship hopes might shift from paper potential to legit contention in the AFC.
Kyle Hamilton Becomes NFL’s Highest-Paid Safety With $100.4M Ravens Extension
Kyle Hamilton and the Ravens have agreed to a four-year, $100.4 million extension, tying him to the team through the 2030 season. The deal includes $82 million guaranteed and an average annual value of $25.1 million, which is more than Detroit Lions’ Kerby Joseph ($21.25M).
This makes Hamilton the highest-paid safety in NFL history, his agents Kyle McCarthy and Brian Murphy of Athletes First confirmed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday. Talking about this record-setting deal, the 24-year-old said [via ESPN]:
“Some people said some things about where I was drafted [and] this and that and where I could be drafted. And at the time I think I was the least mad at anybody,” Hamilton said. “I knew that I came to the right place. Sometimes you got to see the bigger picture.”
As far as his stats go, over three seasons, he’s the only defensive back with at least 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, and five interceptions. He has earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in the past two years, also holding the Ravens’ single-season record for tackles for loss by a defensive back. Last year, he led all safeties in fewest yards allowed per completion (7.76).
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta dropped his two cents, praising Hamilton’s impact:
“I think the deal really does speak to how we feel about Kyle. The highest-paid safety in the NFL … that’s a responsibility that we don’t take lightly.”
Now that the two-time Pro Bowler has secured the top safety spot, the Ravens’ next big contract challenge looms with QB Lamar Jackson, whose cap hit jumps to $74.5 million in 2026.
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