Ex-Raven Comes out of Retirement set to Play in 2024 Season

Ex-Raven Comes out of Retirement set to Play in 2024 Season

One of the scouting interns for the Baltimore Ravens is departing,

thus it looks like the team is losing another member of the scouting department.

But safety is more important than joining another coaching staff. Tony Jefferson is trying to return as a player to the NFL.

 

“Source: Former #Ravens star safety Tony Jefferson is coming out of retirement and plans to play this upcoming season,

” wrote NFL insider Jordan Schultz on Tuesday, May 28.

 

A few hours after Schultz’s post on X, the safety himself reaffirmed the information, adding, “We are so back.”

 

Since 2022, when he participated in nine games as a member of the New York Giants,

Jefferson has not participated in any sports.

 

Additionally, Schultz shared, saying, “Jefferson has been training, staying in shape,

and wanting to play again. After working as a scouting intern with Baltimore for the previous season,

he plans to begin speaking with teams soon.

The safety turned 32 earlier this year, and if he can find a new squad,

he’ll have two years of experience behind him.

 

“Jefferson, 32, previously announced his retirement in March of last year,”

said Frank Platko of SB Nations’ Baltimore Beatdown.

Two months later, Jefferson was hired by the Ravens as a summertime scouting intern.

Tony Jefferson Formed a Strong Duo for Ravens at Safety

Despite not being selected in the 2013 NFL Draft, Jefferson went on to have a successful NFL career.

After being undrafted, the safety was taken a chance on by the Arizona Cardinals,

who saw his defense improve greatly over his four-year stay.

 

During those four years, he participated in sixty-three games, started thirty-one,

and totaled 277 tackles—96 of which were career highs—in 63 games.

Throughout each of his seasons with the Cardinals, the safety gained more playing time,

and in his final season with Arizona, he played in 92% of the defensive snaps.

 

“After four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals,

Jefferson was originally signed by the Ravens to a lucrative contract in 2017,

” Platko said. After a stellar 2016 season, he inked a 4-year, $34 million contract with the Ravens.

 

According to Platko, “Jefferson joined the team as a full-time starter in the secondary alongside Eric Weddle.”

He started 16 games in 2017 and finished with 79 total tackles, 1 interception,2.5 sacks, and 2 pass defenses.

He also participated in 99% of the defensive snaps.

 

He really played at least 94% of the snaps in the games he appeared in during his three seasons with Baltimore.

Platko stated, “He started 35 games in three seasons for the Ravens,

but an injury that ended the season in Week 5 ended his 2019 campaign.”

 

Before joining the San Francisco 49ers, Jefferson did not participate in any games during the 2020 season.

Jefferson, according to Platko, “was cut by them after only two appearances.”

 

After being cut loose for his second Baltimore season, Jefferson would re-join the team, and this was crucial.

Platko stated that Jefferson “played some valuable snaps for the Ravens on both defense and special teams,

despite a slew of injuries in the defensive backfield.”

Ravens Hunting Safety Help, so Maybe Tony Jefferson

Given that Jefferson is accustomed to their scheme and their pressing need at the position,

the Ravens might be among the teams interested in signing him.

 

Platko clarified, saying, “The team lacks established depth behind starters Marcus Williams and

Kyle Hamilton after losing Geno Stone in free agency.”

 

As of the now, the organization has ties to a few free agency safety.

Justin Simmons, a former safety for the Denver Broncos, has lately been mentioned as a possible choice to strengthen the depth.

According to Platko, “The Ravens will probably keep looking through the pool of available veterans in the upcoming weeks after hosting Jamal Adams for a free agent visit last week.”

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