JUST 3 HOURS AFTER BEING CUT BY RAVENS: The "Cornerstone" Who Led Ravens to Super Bowl Title Expresses Desire to Join Seahawks – Willing to Take Pay Cut Just to Lead Seattle to a Super Bowl Championship
Seattle, Washington – January 2, 2026
Just three hours after being released by the Baltimore Ravens, Ben Cleveland — a name long viewed as a quiet pillar during the Ravens’ Super Bowl journey — sent shockwaves across the NFL by publicly expressing his desire to join the Seattle Seahawks.
What immediately caught the league’s attention was not just the destination, but the manner in which Cleveland made his choice.
This was not a decision about money.
It was a decision about legacy.
According to multiple league sources, Cleveland has made it clear to interested teams that Seattle sits at the top of his list, even if doing so requires him to accept a reduced salary, a diminished role, or less public recognition. His objective is unmistakable: to become part of the leadership driving the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl.

In Baltimore, Cleveland was never the loudest name on the stat sheet, but he was a key component of an offensive line that consistently ranked among the NFL’s most effective rushing units, helping protect the quarterback and control games at their most punishing moments. At 6-foot-6 and 355 pounds, his physical presence and relentless style made him the type of player a locker room trusts — even when box scores fail to capture his full value.
“I’ve walked through the harshest roads this league has to offer to reach the Super Bowl — and I understand that journey isn’t measured by highlights or pretty numbers,” Cleveland said. “If Seattle needs someone willing to sacrifice money, role, or even attention to help this group return to where it belongs, I’ll do that without hesitation.”
At this moment, Seattle represents the right environment for that mindset.
Under head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks are undergoing a clear transformation — younger, more disciplined, and increasingly confident that they are entering a championship-caliber window. Internally, the organization believes the talent is already in place, but that one authoritative voice up front could make the difference between progress and contention.
That is where Cleveland’s value becomes most evident.
One NFC personnel executive summarized it succinctly:
“Ben Cleveland doesn’t just bring strength. He brings standards.”
For the Seahawks, the pursuit sends a clear message about ambition. For Cleveland, this is not an attempt to quietly extend a career, but an opportunity to close it with purpose and volume.
Three hours after being released, Ben Cleveland made his choice.
Now, Seattle waits to see whether that choice becomes destiny.
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