Baltimore Ravens and Terrell Suggs reach an agreement for extension

The Baltimore Ravens and linebacker Terrell Suggs have reached an agreement for a long-term extension, largely designed to "significantly lower" the latter's $12.4 million cap number in 2014, according to reports. Prior to the agreement, Suggs had the third-highest salary cap number with defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and quarterback Joe Flacco having a cap number of $16 million and $14.8 million respectively.

Comparatively speaking, the top-three salary cap numbers for the Bengals belong to Geno Atkins ($9 million), Leon Hall ($8.7 million) and Carlos Dunlap ($8.6 million).

The deal adds another three years to the existing contract for Suggs, currently the franchise leader in sacks with six Pro Bowls and the 2011 NFL defensive player of the year award, through 2018. Suggs' cap number is reduced to $7.8 million (guaranteeing his base salary) and frees up $5 million of cap space for the Ravens (they had $12 million of room prior to the extension). However his struggles have warranted internal discussions regarding his future, especially after missing half of the season in 2012 with an Achilles injury and only one sack in the final eight games last season.

In 21 games played since 2003, Suggs has generated 7.5 quarterback sacks -- however, only two have been recorded in the last five seasons -- eight games (missed both in 2012).