Most football fans are familiar with the process of recruiting players in college. Generally, the player spends time being wooed by a program (or programs, based on their talent level), and they make a decision on which school to attend as they factor in scholarship offers, playing time, and overall profile of the program. Once a player hits the pros, though, recruiting is mostly a thing of the past.
If the player has built up a robust enough college resume to be drafted, teams will certainly show interest by attending their workouts or interviewing them at the combine, but the ultimate destination is out of their control (unless they pull an Eli Manning). It’s usually not until a player reaches free agency that recruiting becomes a factor at all. Even then, the biggest influence on a player’s destination is usually the almighty dollar, but in the modern age of social media, there’s a new wrinkle on recruiting NFL players: simply showing them how welcomed they would be in a new town.
(credit to BR Gridiron and The Herd)
The irony of that particular example is that A.) Aaron Rodgers isn’t even a free agent, and B.) There’s a possibility that Melvin Gordon would be included in whatever deal the Broncos might pitch the Packers in a trade for Rodgers. Still, you get the idea. When a player or coach makes a recruiting pitch, it can spread like wildfire, and our beloved Ravens have gotten in on the recruiting fun, too.
As it turns out, Aaron Rodgers isn’t the only hot commodity that players are trying to lure out of Green Bay. Former Raven Za’Darius Smith is set to enter the final year of his contract with the Packers, but a tight cap situation in Green Bay has led to speculation that Smith is likely on his way out. With plenty of buzz already circulating, all it took was for Smith to tweet a single emoji to kick the rumor mill into high gear.
👀
— Za'Darius Smith (@zadariussmith) February 18, 2022
Twitter sleuths also noted that Smith had scrubbed his profile of Packers-related content and removed his profile picture. Ravens players took the opportunity to shoot their shot at a potential reunion with Z. At least I think that’s what’s going on here, it’s all just the same emoji.
— 🦈 (@Patrickqueen_) February 18, 2022
— Pat Ricard (@PRic508) February 18, 2022
— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) February 18, 2022
I can’t speculate on what the actual likelihood is that Z could be coming back to Baltimore, but it’s safe to say Lacie DeCosta didn’t get any inside information from EDC.
What are we 👀at? 🥴
— Lacie DeCosta (@DeCostaLacie) February 18, 2022
Elsewhere, it would appear that Hayden Hurst isn’t ruling out the idea of a return to Baltimore, either.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
Fan Favorite Hayden Hurst likes the idea of a reunion… He knows there’s unfinished business in Baltimore 😏#RavensFlock#RevengeSeason
–@haydenrhurst pic.twitter.com/WdYatxIZqU— Flockville (@Flockville) February 20, 2022
Hurst has always been vocal about how much he enjoyed his time as a Raven, but an abundance of talented tight ends and the emergence of Mark Andrews left too many mouths to feed in the tight end room. If Nick Boyle’s health is still a question mark entering next season, Hurst’s potential return could just be a matter of the right price tag.
Now for a free agent who seems a little more like a wing and a prayer for the Ravens…
https://t.co/4gqp390XOh pic.twitter.com/q1gbA3ULfi
— 🦈 (@Patrickqueen_) February 15, 2022
Patrick Queen recently showed some love for fellow LSU alum Tyrann Mathieu, who is hitting free agency after a productive stretch with the Chiefs. Sure, maybe this is just one former Tiger giving another some props, or maybe he’s manifesting the idea of uniting under one banner. Marlon Humphrey also retweeted a motivational message from Mathieu about high hopes for this season, perhaps hoping that Mathieu’s “greatest year yet” will come in purple and black.
Next year will be my greatest year yet! I’m calling it now!!! Driven to go the distance! I will!!! I must!!! I can!!!!
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) February 2, 2022
Baltimore has been named on the short list of potential destinations for Mathieu, and the Ravens did take a shot at signing him in 2019. While the price tag is certainly a factor, Kansas City is in a similar boat given several big contracts recently. If it comes down to Mathieu being in an environment where he feels like he can manifest his greatest year yet, he may have tipped his hand on how he feels about continuing his time in front of the Chiefs faithful.
Yikes.
When engaging with Ravens fans on Twitter, though…
Next year when Tyrann Mathieu picks a ball off in Baltimore, I just want a small bit of credit. pic.twitter.com/0YbK8u25gK
— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) February 12, 2022
Sure, this could all be in good fun and not amount to anything, but social media and public perception can’t be ignored. Players are more accessible now than at any other point in history, and if fans show a player that they’re wanted, who’s to say that couldn’t factor in?
On that note, I have a letter to write.
Dear Aaron Donald…
