The 2022 offseason has seen plenty of headlines being made with respect to quarterbacks, but the lack of news regarding a few young signal-callers has stood out as well. That is the case with Lamar Jackson, who has at no point seemed on the verge of an extension with the Ravens. 
A lucrative deal seemed like an inevitability when he first became eligible to sign one at the end of the 2020 season. Since then, however, the 25-year-old has signalled his desire to focus on the upcoming season rather than his long-term future. He will play out the 2022 campaign on the fifth-year option, which carries a value of $23MM.
The Ravens have, on a number of occasions, expressed their willingness to negotiate a deal. Acknowledging that Jackson himself has to be willing to enter into those discussions, though, this situation could end up remaining in a holding pattern until next offseason. Indeed, as CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora writes, “all parties seem resigned to the fact that a new deal is highly unlikely”.
Beside the financial parameters of any new contract – which would be heavily influenced, of course, by those recently signed by the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Deshaun Watson – another factor was entered into the equation last month when the Ravens traded Marquise Brown to the Cardinals. The loss of the team’s former top wideout (and close friend of Jackson’s) has some wondering what effect it could have on negotiations.
As a result, Jeff Howe of the Athletic writes that other teams are “monitoring the situation from afar”. While he adds that “there is no hint” of the former MVP becoming available now or in the future, this latest notable roster move adds even more intrigue to one of the league’s most unique ongoing contract sagas.
Didn’t Brown asked to be traded though and the organization obliged?
Yes
Yes. And he let Lamar know he was gonna ask to be traded beforehand.
But level headed assessment doesn’t generate as many clicks as speculation of disruption and conspiracy.
Yes, because he was tired of the offense the team has to run with Lamar as the QB.
If they let this man come close to even putting his pinky-toe into Free Agency …
He’ll be tagged twice before that’s a possibility.
Tag once and trade. Players are replaceable. I doubt Jackson is taking anyone to a Super Bowl, based on Ravens playoff success in their peculiar, exciting but ultimately unsuccessful offense.
Hard disagree. They’re not trading him. And honestly tagging and trading a guy who plays a premium position is what bad organizations do and the Ravens aren’t that. He makes them a playoff team every year. Provided he doesn’t get hurt, they go last season.
Kind of like the Bungles showed, all you need to do is get there and then a ball bouncing wrong or right or an injury or a bad possession and you’re playing in the SB.
Maybe, but to be fair, Burrow is already better than Lamar.
Mmmmm, let’s hold back on that narrative.
One season does not a career make. Burrow is set up to succeed better than Lamar is on offense. Does he have a higher upside right now? Not really.
The Bengals added guys that might be better but let’s give some context. Karras was never looked at as really good until FA and really off last season. Cappa was looked at well because he played in front of the GOAT. Collins might have seen bud best days end but he’s the only guy I’d say is a clear upgrade.
Lamar won an MVP his first full season; burrow went to a SB in his. But I don’t think it’s clear one is better than another.
Bengals have a lot to prove this year.
can establish themselves as an elite presence , but will have to be more fluent than just having Jmarr Chase bail them out with 80 yard TDs on 3rd and long several times last season.
they have the tools on offense to be well rounded and seem to have improved the offensive line (although not impressively)
I understand the superbowl push was incredible last season, but it’s absolutely not a lock that this team doesn’t end up back in last place in the division this year if they’re not careful.
you have to grind out all 17 weeks in the AFC North.
Ravens were in 1st place before injuries became unfathomable
Steelers greatly improved their roster and arguably upgraded at QB
Browns lost some depth, but got a massive upgrade at QB
don’t take it as me saying it was ALL LUCK for the 2021 Bengals … but heck ya they got bailed out with a lot of lucky plays at crucial times
All this… and just to add on, Lamar is actually (slightly) younger than Burrow.
That’s an interesting tidbit. I didn’t know Jackson was so young. Maybe he’ll take another leap, before he blows a knee.
They should. He’s not worth whatever the current rate is.
So…no news. It’s weird when their is a “latest” report and yet it’s the same news as…two years ago. You’re welcome for the click, guys.
I respect Lamar for not pushing for a contract. he thinks he’s worth x and isn’t going to hold out for it.
By holding out for it….got it.
Many people mock Lamar for handling his own contract. But all he is doing is letting both the QB’s reset the market and new TV revenue stream in. His patience will pay off, in a big way.
As long as he’s not injured first, and that’s a big if. Big time stakes on the table here, in his place, I’d take the profits on the first big contract while I could.
Lamar shouldn’t sniff $30 million a year
High risk!
He is a runner first, passer second. (And not great at that). He is an acl tear away from costing himself millions. Gotta give the credit though, he’s banking on himself.
So…he’s a runner first and yet hasn’t missed a game due to injury until last season…while he was passing…
Weird narrative to try and pass off but I guess we know you don’t actually watch him play.
If the Ravens won the SB with Flacco, they sure as hell have odds with Jackson. He’s a really good player. The Browns would’ve run after him instead of Watson had he been available IMHO.
Gotta be healthy tho. Both Jackson and Mayfield’s poor numbers are due to being banged up.
Of course he should sniff $30 million a year. 11 QBs are making more than that next year. You can say you don’t like the guy. You can say you wouldn’t build a team around him on second contract money. To say he shouldn’t sniff $30 million is either pretending the price of QBs isn’t what it is or pretending he’s much worse than he’s been.
Lamar throw’s the ball with some heat on it, but it’s not as catchable as it should be. He’s always going to rely on his legs. I don’t know if he’s doing the right thing by betting on himself, on what he does or doesn’t accomplish this season, is a mistake?
Billy Kilmer made a career of throwing balls that weren’t as catchable as they should be. Style points aren’t as important as completions.
Well, winning ball games is even more important, and when the time comes for Lamar to do it with his arm, he can’t. Time and time again.
Have you seen his won loss record? I think it’s 37-14.
What’s his playoff record again?
Literally the worst time to make this argument. 4 game winning 4th quarter comebacks last season. 28-17 Chiefs, they came back in that game. Down 22-3, had 4 passing TDs in the with 56 seconds left in the 3rd to OT. 40 passing yards to drive in the fourth against MN.
It’s like you don’t watch him play.
That’s all great. But no WR worth their salt wants to play with him, and in the playoffs he doesn’t win.
You can cherry pick a game or two, but his overall body of work speaks for itself. It is like you don’t watch him play.
If the Ravens really wanted him, he’d be signed already.
They shouldn’t be interested. They’ve had 4 years of him in this vanilla, predictable offense, and have seen the weaknesses of it. He turns the ball over too much, he’s useless without being able to run and any team that shuts down his own running and forces him to be what he isn’t….a passer….beats him.
Let some other team make the mistake of breaking the bank on him.
Last year’s relatively slow recovery from an ankle injury should have sent the Ravens a clear message, but they will likely ignore the history of running quarterbacks in the NFL and instead throw stupid money at this guy.
As has been said many times before, he was injured on a passing play in which he got hit low. Any QB could have got that injury, not just a QB who also runs.