Pernell McPhee officially closed his NFL career in the most appropriate place possible.
The former defensive lineman and outside linebacker retired as a Baltimore Raven on Thursday, returning to the organization that drafted him, developed his versatility and provided the foundation for an 11-year NFL career. Hall of Fame executive Ozzie Newsome, who selected McPhee in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft, was present to offer remarks as McPhee reflected on his career and legacy in Baltimore.
McPhee was never Baltimore’s most celebrated defender, but he consistently represented the physicality, toughness and versatility that have defined the organization. He could rush from the edge, reduce inside on passing downs and create problems for offensive linemen with his power and relentless effort. Baltimore’s coaching staff turned those traits into production. McPhee recorded 17 sacks during his first four seasons with the Ravens, including a career-best 7½ sacks in 2014. That breakout season earned him a lucrative contract with the Chicago Bears and established him as one of the Ravens’ most successful developmental stories.
Pernell McPhee officially retiring a Raven, with Ozzie Newsome offering a few words and McPhee on his legacy here in Baltimore pic.twitter.com/n1XEq5bDoT
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) August 13, 2026
His value extended beyond the regular-season statistics. McPhee was a member of Baltimore’s Super Bowl XLVII championship team and made important plays during that postseason run. He produced a strip-sack of Peyton Manning in the divisional-round victory over Denver and deflected a Tom Brady pass that resulted in a Dannell Ellerbe interception during the AFC championship game.
Some former Ravens were in attendance to support McPhee. Among them Nick Boyle, Jimmy Smith, Matt Lawrence, Sam Koch and Aaron Crawford. Torrey Smith (not pictured) was also in the house. pic.twitter.com/iUiDIkouLy
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 13, 2026
McPhee spent four seasons away from Baltimore with Chicago and Washington before returning to the Ravens in 2019. He played three more seasons with the franchise, serving as a physical edge defender, a respected locker-room presence, and a mentor to younger teammates. He finished his career with 38 sacks, 260 tackles, 58 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles across 141 regular-season games. Seven of his 11 NFL seasons were spent in Baltimore.
McPhee was ranked No. 79 on Ravens Wire’s list of the top 100 players in franchise history, recognition of a career whose impact exceeded traditional accolades. He did not earn a Pro Bowl selection, but his versatility made him one of the most valuable pieces of Baltimore’s defensive front during the early 2010s.
McPhee left Baltimore once, but the identity the Ravens helped instill never left him. His official retirement ensures that his career ends exactly where it should — as a Raven.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Pernell McPhee officially retires as a Baltimore Raven