Around The AFC North: Ravens Agree To Five-Year Deal With Dennis Pitta

Somehow, Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome continues to work salary cap magic. With their backs up against the financial wall once again in 2014, the old wizard pulled another free agency trick out of his hat to keep a valued player in Baltimore for the next half-decade. His team, said to be in a tight cap situation the past two offseasons, has managed to come to terms on a five-year deal with tight end Dennis Pitta.

Ravens have reached a five-year deal with tight end Dennis Pitta, according to league sources

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) February 28, 2014

Though financial terms have not yet been released, the deal has huge implications around the league. Immediately speaking, Jimmy Graham's representatives will be eying the terms of the deal to see if he can get something similar in New Orleans or elsewhere this year. If you want to look at this story through your Bengals-colored glasses, then Jermaine Gresham and his agent(s) will likely be looking at this deal over the next calendar year as well. CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora has an estimation on the deal:

Expect TE Dennis Pitta's deal with the Ravens to be worth about $6.5M per year average.

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 28, 2014

Pitta was hurt much of last season and only racked up 20 catches, 169 yards and a touchdown on the year. However, his contributions in the team's 2012 Super Bowl run made him a player that the Ravens didn't want to go forward without.