The free agent exodus of 2026 marches on for the Baltimore Ravens, who saw another player walk out the door on Tuesday — and this time for a contract that reportedly makes him the highest-paid player at his position in the NFL.
“Sources: Former Ravens 6x Pro Bowl FB Pat Ricard has agreed to a 2-year deal with the Giants to make him the highest-paid FB in the NFL,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account on Tuesday. “Ricard leaves Baltimore after 9 incredible years and reunites with John Harbaugh.”
Former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, who was fired after 18 seasons in January, is now the head coach for the New York Giants and has seemed to be picking and choosing the players he wants over the last 2 days.
“Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard has agreed to terms with the Giants,” ESPN’s Jamison Hensley wrote on X. “Ricard reunites with coach John Harbaugh and one of his biggest supporters in Greg Roman, who is a senior offensive assistant with the Giants. Ricard is fourth former Raven to join Giants.”
Ricard was the 9th free agent and 8th starter to leave the Ravens in the 1st days of free agency.
While details of Ricard’s contract weren’t immediately available, the highest-paid fullback in the NFL is currently San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who will make approximately $3.75 million in 2026, but his current contract is a bit of an anomaly.
Juszczyk has already played out the 2 largest contracts for a fullback in NFL history — a 5-year, $27 million contract signed in 2021 and a 4-year, $21 million contract signed in 2017.
Ricard’s Crazy Path to Becoming Pro Bowler
Ricard, 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, was an All-American defensive lineman at the University of Maine who made the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2017 as a fullback.
In an interesting twist, Ricard replaced Juszczyk on the Ravens after he left for the 49ers in free agency. Ricard, a 6-time Pro Bowler, is also a 3-time NFL All-Pro, earning the honor each of the last 3 seasons.
While Ricard’s most effective use on offense has been as a devastating blocker — hence the nickname “Pancake Pat” — in terms of production, he’s been the most effective with the ball in his hand as a receiver, where he has 49 career receptions for 323 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Interestingly enough, Ricard has never scored on a rushing touchdown.
Who Has Left Ravens in Free Agency?
Ricard is just the latest blow dealt to the Ravens hope of being a Super Bowl contender in 2026, and the news of him signing with the Giants broke just moments before the biggest news of the offseason broke — that the Ravens were backing out of a blockbuster trade for Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
Here’s a look at the 9 players the Ravens have lost so far in free agency:
- Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Las Vegas Raiders
- Isaiah Likely, Tight End, New York Giants
- Patrick Ricard, Fullback, New York Giants
- Ar’Darius Washington, Safety, New York Giants
- Jordan Stout, Punter, New York Giants
- Dre’Mont Jones, Edge Rusher, New England Patriots
- Charlie Kolar, Tight End, Los Angeles Chargers
- Alohi Gilman, Safety, Kansas City Chiefs
- Jake Hummel, Linebacker, Houston Texans
Six-Time Pro Bowler Leaves Ravens for Record-Setting Free Agent Contract in NFC