The Ravens and Lamar Jackson have kicked off extension talks, according to GM Eric DeCosta. Jackson, who represents himself, is currently scheduled to earn just $1.77MM in base salary this season.
“That’s ongoing. That’s definitely a fluid thing. Lamar and I have had a discussion about that,” DeCosta said (YouTube link). “I think it’s important to us and it’s important to him. I think Lamar is obviously a very patient guy. He wants to be the best he can be. He wants this team to be the best it can be and he wants to win very badly. So, we’re aligned that way.”
There’s mutual interest in a new deal, though the Ravens aren’t necessarily in a rush. Beyond his low-priced 2021 season, the Ravens can exercise Jackson’s fifth-year option — a fully guaranteed $23.1MM — to keep him under club control through 2022.
If the numbers are right, Jackson would probably prefer to take the safer route. Quarterbacks like Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff, and Carson Wentz all opted for security ahead of their fourth-year rookie contracts and earned sizable paydays. On the other hand, he could follow Dak Prescott‘s playbook, which resulted in a four-year, $160MM megadeal.
Somewhere between Dak & Mahomes money, I should think.
Dude might want to steer clear of any massages for the foreseeable future and he can bank on 200M.
I’d say run Jackson into the ground for this year, for next year’s fifth year option and then tag him for a year. In the tag year, consider how long he will be a viable quarterback in the NFL. Running QB’s usually slow down over time.
Of course, to keep matters friendly there should be a reasonable deal on the table at all times (guaranteed $50 or $60 million, basically the fifth year option + one year tag money; total about $100 million for four years with some nice performance bonuses on top).
Interesting strategy…
The Ravens draft well and Harbaugh schemes well. LJ is replaceable, which seems to be how the Ravens are running the house (no one is irreplaceable, draft picks and salary cap well-managed).
Yeah Harbaugh “ schemes so well” when is the last time he sniffed a Super Bowl?
2012?
Pretty sure the Ravens have the most recent super bowl appearance and win compared to the other teams in The AFC North
I know part of it is the short duration of being a NFL player, but it’s weird how there really aren’t any bridge contracts. Right now he is slated to make under $2 million. Then, it jumps to over $23 million and after that could be $25-35 million.
Give him some weapons and see what he can do before investing 40 a year on him.