While the news of one of the top extension-eligible QBs signing a new deal broke earlier today, there was an important update regarding one of the other signal-callers in that same category. Lamar Jackson reported early to Baltimore’s training camp, as the team confirmed on Twitter. 
The distinct absence of an extension has been a major talking point since the 2020 campaign ended, and increasingly so this offseason. The team has consistently shown a willingness to try and negotiate directly with the agent-less 25-year-old; Jackson’s hesitancy to reciprocate has led to plenty of speculation about his long-term future with the Ravens.
Other factors loom large as well, of course. The gap between Jackson’s statistical performance in his MVP-winning 2019 season and the subsequent pair of campaigns, coupled with his 2021 season-ending ankle injury have caused doubts to be raised about his value on a multi-year deal. With little progress being made throughout much of the time in which Jackson has been eligible for an extension, it has looked more and more likely that he will play out the 2022 season on the fifth-year option ($23MM).
In June, however, talks resumed between the two-time Pro Bowler and general manager Eric DeCosta during mandatory minicamp – which came after Jackson skipped OTAs for the first time in his career. Then, earlier this month, Jackson spoke publicly about his optimism of getting a deal finalized, potentially before training camp opens in full. The chances of that happening seem to remain slim, though.
Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson reports that “no deal is imminent” at this time. He does add, on the other hand, that talks are still ongoing. Jackson has been connected to Murray as a member of the next wave of QBs due for extensions in the vicinity of the ones given to Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, along with, more recently, Deshaun Watson‘s fully-guaranteed $230MM pact. The fact that Kyler Murray received a deal worth a fraction more than that total (and with $160MM in guarantees) will only lead to further belief that Jackson will end up in that range as well, regardless of when his deal gets finalized.
Lamar shouldn’t sniff $40 million a season, but I’m sure the Ravens will give it to him.
Lamar sells tix and jerseys. People tune in to watch Lamar even if they aren’t necessarily Ravens fans. Lamar means $$$. He is absolutely worth $40M.
Or more!
Exactly, I’m a hawks fan but the only gear I have is Jackson’s
From a sales pov you’re right. But not necessarily from a cap view.
You can also think a cup of coffee shouldn’t cost more than a buck fifty, but you’re still gonna walk out of Starbucks empty handed.
DeCosta’s impatience to get a deal done is only going to weaken his negotiating position. The Ravens won titles with Joe Flacco didn’t they? Why the big panic to ink Lamar to an extension they may regret?
The Ravens offered Flacco a deal prior to the Superbowl winning season of 2012. Flacco’s camp came back asking for slightly (I think it was something like $1-2M/year) more and they balked. After winning Superbowl MVP, Flacco got paid more than what they previously balked at. QB prices aren’t going down from one year to the next, so it’s good business to get a deal done sooner than later.
That said, I don’t think anyone should classify DeCosta as “impatient” when he has been saying things like, “We will work at Lamar’s urgency.”
DeCosta is clearly impatient and what choice does he have but say he will work to Lamar’s urgency? He knows issuing an ultimatum would be a disaster.
How is he impatient? All that he’s said is that Lamar doesn’t want to negotiate yet, that’s it.
DeCosta has been implying for months that Lamar’s extension resistance is hampering the team from making other roster decisions. He’s also implied that Lamar would be better served by having an agent handle his business rather than trusting his mother with it (which even if true is a bit of a cheap shot).
Jackson won’t win anything as his play doesn’t fit with today’s game. He is marketable in that area though – so as long as you are willing to trade jersey sales for championships then paying him big bucks is an even trade-off…