Linebacker Josh Bynes is set to retire as a Raven today having spent six years with the Ravens from 2011 to 2013 a second stint in 2019, and his final stint in Baltimore from 2021 to 2022.
A National Champion in his final year in college, Bynes was signed to the Ravens in 2011 after going undrafted out of Auburn in that years draft. Bynes would be released during the final round of cuts, before eventually being signed back to the Ravens practice squad. Bynes would make his NFL debut that same season in a week 12 victory over the 49ers.
Bynes would return to Baltimore for the 2012 season, a season that would forever change his career and legacy in Baltimore. Bynes would spend most of the year in 2012 on the practice squad, but would be activated after Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis went down with a torn triceps. Bynes primarily played special teams serving as the backup linebacker to Dannell Ellerbe and Jameel McClain. Bynes would earn his first career start in week 15 against the Denver Broncos. Bynes would help lead the Ravens down the stretch to a 10-6 record and an AFC north division title. The Ravens would make it all the way to New Orleans that season for Super Bowl XLVII where Bynes would record just one tackle. That one tackle however would be the most important. With just seconds remaining the Ravens lined up for a free kick, needing just one tackle to seal a Super Bowl Victory. Bynes would be that guy wrestling 49ers returner Ted Ginn Jr. to the ground to seal the Ravens 34-31 victory, and forever etching his name in Ravens history.
Bynes would spend the 2013 season with the Ravens where he was named the staring inside linebacker. 2013 would be his most successful season up to that point as he played in 15 games, starting six, and totaling 45 tackles.
In 2014 Bynes would be released at the end of training camp and signed to the practice squad where he would stay until the Detroit Lions signed him to their active roster. Bynes would spend three seasons in Detroit before signing with the Arizona Cardinals where he would spend two seasons.
Bynes would return to the Ravens in 2019 starting in seven games, and playing in 15. Bynes would record a career high two interceptions that season while finishing with 46 total tackles and one sack. Following the 2019 season Bynes would sign a one-yard deal with the Cincinnati Bengals where he started all 16 games and finished with a career best 99 tackles.
Bynes would spend the start of the 2021 season with the Carolina Panthers in their training camp before being released and re-signed by the Ravens for his third stint in Baltimore. Bynes would spend both the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Ravens.
Now, Bynes will officially retire as a Raven after 12 seasons that saw him play in 131 career games, totaling 553 career tackles, 7.5 sacks, four interceptions, and three forced fumbles.
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