Baltimore Ravens’ Michael Pierce Announces Retirement from NFL

BALTIMORE, Md. — Michael Pierce, a key player on the Baltimore Ravens‘ defensive line, announced his retirement from the NFL on March 12, 2025, just before the opening of the league’s free agency period.

Pierce, who played eight seasons in the NFL, made the announcement during an appearance on the Sports Spectrum Podcast with former NFL running back Matt Forte. The 32-year-old defensive tackle expressed gratitude towards the Ravens’ front office, coaching staff, and former teammates for their support throughout his career.

“I just decided to call it a career,” Pierce said. His announcement comes on the same day that NFL free agency officially opens, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Pierce has spent seven of his eight seasons in the NFL with the Ravens, interrupted only by a single season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021. He opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout his career, he built a reputation as a formidable run-stopper, accumulating a total of 238 tackles and 9.5 sacks.

The Ravens now face the challenge of filling Pierce’s spot on the defensive line at a crucial time as they navigate free agency. Teams that are currently over the salary cap can now begin to negotiate and finalize contract agreements with players following the legal tampering period that began on March 10, increasing the league’s salary cap from $255.4 million to $279.2 million per team.

Pierce expressed pride in his time with the Ravens, stating in his podcast appearance, “It was an honor to represent this franchise. I’ve made lifelong friends and memories here.” His announcement has sparked discussions among fans and analysts about how the team will address this loss and whether they may pursue other free agents to strengthen their defensive line.

As free agency kicks into gear, the Ravens and the rest of the NFL will be watching closely as teams make moves to solidify their rosters for the upcoming season.