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Ravens Receive Unfortunate News After Veteran's Career Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Mar 12, 2025 12:33 PM ET

It was a great 2024 season for the Baltimore Ravens, who finished 12-5, winning the AFC North but ultimately losing to the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round.

As amazing as their offense was, finishing third in points per game (30.5), their defense was also great ranking 10th in total yards per game allowed (324.2) and ninth in points per game allowed (21.2)

Unfortunately, though, the defensive unit as a whole will be taking a hit after 32-year-old defensive tackle Michael Pierce announced his retirement during an appearance on the "Sports Spectrum" YouTube channel.

“After nine seasons, after much prayer, talking to my family, just going through the grind, man, and just being satisfied where I am, looking forward to do other things in life, I just decided to call it a career,” he said.

BIG news from Ravens DT Michael Pierce on our Sports Spectrum podcast @Sports_Spectrum pic.twitter.com/ziO5ZXi43X
— Matt Forte (@MattForte22) March 12, 2025

Much of Pierce's career has been with the Ravens over two stints (2016 to 2019 and 2022 to 2024), where he's accumulated 218 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits and even one interception.

The only two other years he spent away from Baltimore were 2020, when he opted not to play because of COVID-19, and 2021, with the Minnesota Vikings, starting eight games, racking up 20 tackles, three sacks, three tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits.

Pierce proved to be especially effective for the Ravens in 2024, appearing in 11 games and receiving a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 80.6, which ranked ninth out of 219 qualified defensive linemen.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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