OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens signed cornerback Jimmy Smith to a four-year extension Tuesday, continuing the team's tradition of keeping its marquee players.
The Ravens announced the deal Tuesday but did not disclose financial terms. A league source confirmed to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that Smith's extension is worth $48 million, including $21 million in guaranteed money. Pro Football Talk reported the terms of the extension earlier Tuesday.
Smith, 26, who was entering the final year of his rookie deal, is signed through the 2019 season.
The deal becomes the highlight of an offseason in which the Ravens lost three significant players (wide receiver Torrey Smith, pass-rusher Pernell McPhee and tight end Owen Daniels) and did very little in free agency.
But the Ravens have always found a way to keep players they consider to be the foundation of their team. In the 20-year existence of the Ravens, they have reached long-term deals with 11 of their first-round picks, including the likes of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs and now Smith.
"When you think of the Ravens, what do you think of? Defense," Smith said minutes after signing his deal. "They put me back in here, meaning that I'm almost a cornerstone of the defense. That means everything."
A first-round pick in 2011, Smith emerged as one of the top young cornerbacks in the league. He has not allowed a touchdown in 11 straight games.
Smith's 2014 season ended in Week 8 when he suffered a foot injury. With Smith last season, the Ravens went 5-2 and allowed a league-low seven passing touchdowns.
Smith declined to say when he would be fully recovered from foot surgery and get back on the practice field, although he indicated that he has been progressing this offseason.
"I can beat you in a race," he told a reporter.
Whenever Smith returns this offseason, team officials expect to have key piece back in their secondary. Without Smith, the Ravens were 5-4 the rest of the season (which includes the game at Cincinnati in which Smith was hurt) and couldn't stop the New England Patriots and Tom Brady when it counted in a divisional playoff game.
"I think his best football is still ahead of him," general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "If he doesn't get hurt in the Cincinnati game last year, I don't know where he could've ended up as a player. But he was definitely trending up."