Former Second-Round Defensive Back Signs with Baltimore Ravens
On March 25th, 2025, the Ravens agreed to terms with cornerback Chidobe Awuzie on a one-year contract, per Adam Schefter on X. Awuzie was released from the Titans after one year of a three-year deal signed in March of 2024. The only contract details that have been released at this time is that his deal with Baltimore is a veteran minimum, as Tennessee still owes the cornerback $7.5 million in 2025. The 29-year-old finds a new team in desperate need of secondary depth despite housing two All-Pro caliber players like Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton.
Drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft to the Dallas Cowboys, Awuzie battled for the starting job, but injuries to his hamstring and ankle moved him down to fourth on the depth chart. He did eventually get a start at cornerback, but it was short-lived after another injury that cost him six weeks in an eight-week stretch. Awuzie was then re-awarded a starting position for the last five games as teammate Anthony Brown was accruing too many penalties against him, leading to his first career interception in Week 17 win in Philadelphia. Awuzie would start in 42 of 49 games in Dallas, securing just one interception in each of his four seasons.
Awuzie would test free agency and signed a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he started 32 of 37 playable games, but only recorded three turnovers in three years. However, he started in all four playoff games in 2021 and grabbed an interception off of quarterback Matthew Stafford in Super Bowl LVI, but it was not enough to help the Bengals lift the Lombardi Trophy. Testing free agency again in 2024, the Titans signed the rotational corner to a three-year $36 million deal that never lived up to expectations. The cornerback suffered a groin injury in Week Three, keeping him on Injured Reserve for ten weeks. In eight games with the Titans, Awuzie had 26 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception. PFF graded his pass coverage as 58.4 which is ranked 130 out of all 222 cornerbacks.
The lack of production and ability to stay healthy caused him to be released by the Titans in March 2025, allowing him to sign with a contender like Baltimore that needs some depth at cornerback. The Ravens will most certainly not have him start ahead of Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, but adding Awuzie gives the 29-year-old a chance to prove that he can still play ball in a support role now that Brandon Stephens and Tre’Davious White are not wearing purple and black. With the draft coming up in April, the Ravens want to create a competition between a potential 2025 draft pick, 2024 fourth-rounder T.J. Tampa, and Awuzie, who has some work to do in the passing game. Money is tight in Baltimore, so if Awuzie does not impress with consistency, he may be looking for a new team sooner rather than later.
