Newsome to step down as Ravens’ GM

Ozzie Newsome’s reign as the only general manager in Baltimore Ravens history will come to and end after the 2018 season.

Newsome signed a five-year extension in 2014 with the understanding that he surrenders the post to assistant GM Eric DeCosta at the end of the contract, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said Friday.

“Ozzie will step down as GM and has assured me that he’s not going anywhere,” Bisciotti said. “He will work with me and work with Eric for a smooth transition and he’ll be the highest-paid scout in America when Eric takes over next year.”

Newsome, 61, has been in charge of filling out the roster since the Ravens arrived in Baltimore in 1996. His first two draft picks were Jonathan Ogden — who became a Hall of Fame offensive lineman — and Ray Lewis, who is expected to enter the Hall this year.

Newsome is also a member of the Hall of Fame. Following his standout career as a tight end with the Cleveland Browns, Newsome made the transition to the front office under former Ravens owner Art Modell.

With Newsome leading the way, Baltimore won two Super Bowls and reached the postseason five straight years from 2008-’12.

DeCosta, 46, joined the Ravens at an entry-level position in 1996 and was schooled by Newsome. Since becoming assistant general manager in 2012, DeCosta spurned numerous job offers from other teams with the assumption, then assurance, that he would inherit Newsome’s job.

Bisciotti said of the impending switch from Newsome to DeCosta: “It’s time. There are people that are running other franchises that got the jobs because Eric wouldn’t take it. This year it was the Packers.”

Long is done with off-season surgeries: Chicago Bears guard Kyle Long said he has undergone his final off-season surgery.

Long posted Thursday on Twitter he is “done with work on my body for the off-season” and can “build the tank up again.”

The three-time Pro Bowl lineman had surgery for a herniated disc in his neck in December and was due to have a torn labrum repaired.

The shoulder injury occurred in the 2016 preseason.

Long was planning to repair it after that season, but a major ankle injury late in the year required surgery and prevented him from fixing his shoulder. Long has said he was “nowhere near” 100% coming into this season and the shoulder injury led to the neck problem.