Dennis Pitta, Ravens Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The Baltimore Ravens and tight end Dennis Pitta agreed to restructure his contract on Wednesday, according to Ryan Mink of the team's official site.

“Dennis wants to continue his playing career, and we want to give him that opportunity,” general manager Ozzie Newsome said, per Mink. “We have reworked his contract, and we’re excited to help him with his comeback. Everyone here wants Dennis to succeed.”

Pitta, 30, appeared to be a burgeoning star at tight end following the 2012 season, when he caught 61 passes for 669 yards and seven touchdowns—all career highs. But injury issues have hampered his career since.

He missed the entire 2015 season due to a fractured and dislocated hip. He appeared in just seven games for the Ravens between the 2013-14 season, registering 36 receptions for 294 yards and a score in that time.

"I am thankful for this opportunity to continue my career,” Pitta noted, per Mink. “I’m excited to get back to work with my teammates and for this organization. Physically, I feel great and am ready to begin building toward a successful 2016 season."

While terms of the restructure weren't released by the team, Pitta was scheduled to make $5 million in base salary for the season, a high price for a player who has appeared in seven games total over the past three seasons.

Pitta almost assuredly would have been cut without a contract restructure, though he still isn't guaranteed to make the team, with Benjamin Watson, Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle on the roster at the position.

And despite his efforts to return, Pitta may simply never play again. Ed Werder and Jamison Hensley of ESPN reported in Nov. 2015 that doctors advised him that it wasn't safe for him to continue playing football after having two major hip surgeries. It's unclear why, or if, doctors would take a different stance on his health now.

Ultimately, it will be Pitta's decision whether he attempts a comeback or ultimately calls it quits. But at least one hurdle in the path to a potential return, his contract, was cleared on Wednesday.

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