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          Jeremy Maclin agrees to join Ravens, to get free crab cakes

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          Ravens pushed to get Maclin (1:23)

          Adam Schefter explains why Jeremy Maclin chose to sign with the Ravens, while Bill Polian breaks down what the wide receiver can bring to Baltimore's offense. (1:23)

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterJun 12, 2017, 07:41 PM
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens finally added a desperately needed wide receiver, agreeing with free agent Jeremy Maclin on a two-year deal Monday, the team announced.

          Maclin, 29, who was surprisingly cut by the Kansas City Chiefs on June 2, made visits to both the Ravens and the Buffalo Bills last week. However, a source told ESPN's Josina Anderson that Maclin's decision came down to the Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles and that the Bills were not a factor in his final decision.

          Maclin will sign his contract before the Ravens' first mandatory minicamp practice Tuesday. He passed his physical last week during his visit to Baltimore.

          Last week, Jimmy's Famous Seafood, a restaurant in Baltimore, promised Maclin free crab cakes for the life of his contract if he signed with the Ravens and then upped the offer a day later to free crab cakes for life. Maclin on Monday let the restaurant know that he saw their tweet and the establishment said it would honor the promise when asked about it by a Ravens fan.

          The addition of Maclin gives Joe Flacco the best available wide receiver on the free-agent market and significantly improves a Baltimore passing attack that lost two of its top three targets. Maclin has averaged 68 catches, 900-plus receiving yards and six touchdowns in his seven-year NFL career.

          Baltimore had one of the most unproven wide receiver groups in the NFL before acquiring Maclin. Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman are the only returning wide receivers who caught over 30 passes for Baltimore last season.

          In order to lure Maclin, the Ravens recruited him heavily, bringing him to watch Game 3 of the NBA Finals with some players at safety Tony Jefferson's house last Wednesday and getting Steve Smith Sr. to talk to him at the team facility on Thursday.

          It has been a difficult offseason for the Ravens' offense. Smith retired after the season, and tight end Dennis Pitta was released this month after reinjuring his hip.

          The Ravens didn't sign a wide receiver in free agency, although they attempted to get Brandon Marshall and Pierre Garcon. Baltimore also didn't draft a wide receiver for the first time in eight years.

          Maclin is coming off a career-worst season, totaling 44 catches for 536 yards. He was limited to 12 games because of a groin injury. The Chiefs saved $10 million in salary-cap space by cutting Maclin.

          There is some familiarity for Maclin in coming to Baltimore. Ravens offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg served in the same position for Maclin's first four seasons with the Eagles.

          Maclin is expected to participate in the Ravens' mandatory minicamp this week.