Knee-Jerk Reactions: Ravens Extend S Kyle Hamilton for Four Years, $100M

The Ravens and safety Kyle Hamilton agreed on a four-year extension worth $100.4 million, the largest for a safety in NFL history, per Adam Schefter, and announced by Eric DeCosta today.

All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and the Baltimore Ravens reached agreement today on a four-year, $100.4 million extension, the largest for a safety in NFL history. The deal, negotiated by Kyle McCarthy and Brian Murphy of @AthletesFirst, includes $82 million guaranteed – which… pic.twitter.com/HDENCgaRqa

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2025

RSR staff react to the news here…

Nikhil Mehta

This was always the easiest of the Ravens’ extensions to get done, because it was always the most obvious valuation and the most obvious player to keep. Hamilton’s $25MM per year is roughly equivalent to Derwin James’ 2022 extension, adjusted for cap inflation. He’ll be in Baltimore making plays at all three levels of the defense through 2030, and in all likelihood, for the rest of his career.

Kevin McNelis

Some NFL fans will tell you that safety is not a premier position worth paying. Those fans do not spend enough time watching Kyle Hamilton.

When the Ravens drafted Ky Ham in 2022, I had him as my consensus best player on my Big Board, and I was flabbergasted that the Ravens somehow walked away with him at #14. Hamilton has been a nightmare for opposing defenses, and a player who is a true chess piece that you can move anywhere on the field. I believe he could sink a kick if they really needed him to. He’s earned this extension, but more than that, he’s cemented himself as one of the core pieces of Baltimore’s longterm plan in the construction of their defense.

I love it. I love the move, I love what it represents for the continued defensive upside over the next few years, and I love the timing that gives the Ravens some more salary cap flexibility in the late stages of free agency.

Rob Shields

This is great news. Hamilton is arguably a top 5 defensive player in the game, regardless of position.

He has, thus far, proven to be durable and he is a game changer on the defensive side of the ball that can attack you in many different ways.

While he is “only” a safety (a position usually undervalued in the league), he does so much more than that and plays all over the field.

He may be making a lot for a safety but he’s not making a lot for a top overall defensive player.

This offseason keeps getting better and better.

Yaassssss! Can’t wait to see all the details on this.

Hamilton has etched his place as one of the top 5-10 defenders in the sport — beyond DBs.

One of the best draft picks by any team in the last 10 years. A top 5 player who fell in EDC’s lap. Glad he’s here long term. #Ravens https://t.co/LVwMYTvkeW

— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) August 27, 2025

Nick Polinsky

First of all, it’s pretty incredible how information like this doesn’t leak out to the media. Eric DeCosta walks out to the podium for his press conference all ho-hum and casually announces the Hamilton extension.

Hamilton is an incredible athlete who can do so many things at an elite level. He’s one of the best run-defending safeties in the league while also defending the pass at a high level.

If you watch just one game you’ll find Hamilton finding several different ways to impact the game, which is why the just over $25 million APY is completely deserved.

John Hughey

It’s still crazy to believe that a slow 40-time landed Kyle Hamilton right in the Ravens’ lap. Hamilton’s production on the field has been eye popping since his early days in South Bend. There aren’t many defensive backs who can take on the workload of Kyle Hamilton, and his ability to play a multitude of positions. Injury concerns have lingered over the last few seasons, but locking up your 24-year-old safety for the next four years is crucial to Baltimore’s future success. Hamilton marks the 5th Raven to become the highest-paid at their respective position.

With one half of the 2022 1st-Round duo locked up, eyes will be on DeCosta to get a deal done with Tyler Linderbaum next.

Chad Racine

This is incredible news and Kyle Hamilton was by far and away the most important player to get signed to an extension next. He’s the Ravens best defensive player and the money is well deserved. The only thing I wish is that it was for five years instead of four.

The more big cornerstone contracts like this they have, the more they have to find cheap talent at other positions. The Ravens did just that with three undrafted free agents making the roster yesterday, four if you count Corey Bullock (which I do since he was undrafted last year and was on the practice squad all year).

EDC has  drafted extremely well the last several years. The next big contracts in line are Travis Jones and Tyler Linderbaum. In my opinion it’d be harder to replace Jones than Linderbaum. That’s a conversation for another day.

For now I’m excited the Ravens just extended their best defensive player.

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/08/27/knee-jerk-reactions/knee-jerk-reactions-ravens-extend-s-kyle-hamilton-for-four-years-100m/