Despite the continuous work of the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson to reach a long-term agreement, it’s seemingly become a foregone conclusion that the Ravens will utilize their franchise tag to keep Jackson in Baltimore for another year.
On its surface, the decision seems simple: keep Jackson around so that the two parties can continue to negotiate. In reality, even the decision to tag Jackson becomes complicated as the two types of tags available (assuming Baltimore doesn’t go the route of the transition tag) hold major implications for their hopes of a future deal, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. 
The Ravens have the option of applying the exclusive franchise tag or the much more common non-exclusive franchise tag. The non-exclusive franchise tag allows the tagged player to negotiate a deal with a new team while granting the original team to option to match or refuse to match the new team’s offer. The exclusive franchise tag guarantees that the tagged player will remain with the original team but comes at a higher cost.
If Baltimore applies the non-exclusive franchise tag to Jackson, it opens the door for another franchise to submit an offer sheet. There’s a risky potential benefit for Baltimore in doing this. If the offer sheet comes in lower than what Jackson is asking for, the Ravens would have more solid ground to stand on in their contract negotiations.
This leaves the team vulnerable, though, to an offer sheet coming in far higher than the offers they’ve presented to Jackson. A team could, in theory, hamstring the Ravens by offering a contract that is higher than what the Ravens are offering but that they know the Ravens will not let Jackson walk over, leaving the Ravens in a precarious position financially. This kind of subterfuge is technically not allowed by the league, but it would be hard to prove intent over an asset like Jackson.
With that sort of risk, one might think it would just make more sense to apply the exclusive franchise tag to Jackson and be done with it. Sure, it would cost more, but it’s just for one year, right? Not exactly. Rumors have already come out that Jackson would be willing to play out two franchise tags before coming to a new deal, much like was done by Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. OK, so it’s only two years then. No big deal. Unfortunately for Baltimore, while that would be the easiest immediate option, it would limit its negotiating power when seeking a long-term contract.
The exclusive tag for a quarterback currently would cost the Ravens $45.46MM in 2023. The cost of a second consecutive tag would likely be more in 2024 and adds an additional percentage. This means that, when devising a new contract for Jackson, Baltimore would have to include at least a two-year guarantee of $100MM because that would be the projected sum of two consecutive exclusive franchise tags, and the goal is to convince Jackson not to go that route.
Another danger Breer points out, and this one seems a bit less likely, is that Jackson may elect not to sign the exclusive franchise tag right away. This would allow Jackson to opt-out of any mandatory team activities through August with no penalty. Only if he misses games would Jackson incur any penalties by sitting out.
The Ravens have got plenty of decisions to make this offseason, but none seem bigger than how they are going to keep Jackson in black and purple for years to come. It’s sounding more and more likely that they tag Jackson to keep him from conventionally hitting free agency, but even that holds more decisions for general manager Eric DeCosta and company.
Go non exclusive. No franchise other then Cleveland would offer him fully guaranteed and if someone is dumb enough to give him what he’s asking then let them have him.
The Ravens aren’t winning playoff games against the Bengals, Chiefs, or Bills after Jackson breaks the bank. If all the Ravens want to do is sell Jerseys and $10 beers at the stadium for 9 games a year then he is their man – otherwise they need to make a fair offer and move on if Jackson declines it.
You forgot the most expensive thing which is tickets. They went at 98% capacity last year and that’s what sells food, beer and merchandise. I doubt his replacement whether it’s Jimmy 7G etc. or a rookie draft pick makes that happen again next year. They need to pony up but it’s hard to get the best deal when he has no agent who knows the ropes. I say franchise him twice and see if he stays healthy and does something in the playoffs as opposed to signing him long term and getting screwed cuz he decides to sit down for 5+ weeks. Dude wasn’t around for a playoff game after sitting for the final 5 weeks. Meanwhile, every other top qb made a point to be, at least avaliable, for a playoff game. Maybe it’s the training staff in B-more, and hate Rogers in Green Bay, if you want, but he played hurt all last season. I’m not at all a Ravens fan, but make him prove it
The owner, Biscotti (sp), has got to be stoked about the attendance, agreed. But every year he makes clear the team’s priority. WIN the Super Bowl! IMHO, he has the FO on notice that it’s time to move on from Lamar. SB wins are not going to happen with him under center. They have no interest in a long term deal. Which ever tag deal jettisons him off the team faster, the better. The owner is is serious about wanting to win Super Bowls!
Transition tag. There are first round QB’s coming down the pipe who can do the job. Use on of the picks on a QB and the other on either a WR or an offensive lineman. Together with QB rookie contract, Ravens will be better off.
That said, I hope the Ravens don’t do this. Not my favourite franchise I’d enjoy watching them go into a tailspin paying Jackson $50 million/year.
The Ravens are in a tough spot. I honestly don’t think anyone is gonna give up 2 first round picks and then turn around and have to give Jackson the fully guaranteed contract he apparently wants.
The point is to save a bit of dosh (the Transition Tag is about 10% cheaper than the non-Exclusive Franchise Tag) and perhaps someone will take the Lamar Jackson problem (crazy contract demands, free agent, no trade value) off of the Ravens’ shoulders.
If I were the Ravens, I would make him the highest paid web. Without him, it’s a long trip back from mediocrity. Pay the man!
You must be Lamar’s dad…or in his posse. Over paying the man will cripple the franchise for the next decade.
If the Ravens give him a guaranteed contract, they’re screwed! Offer a fair deal, put him on a non exclusive tag and let the chips fall where they may.
Save this article for Josh Fields in 2-3 years and just change the names of the player and the franchise. Teams that focus on running QBs need to get in the habit of drafting QBs every year (or every other year) to keep their pipeline full.
Will be interesting to see how Eagles handle Hurts.
The Niners are laughing all the way to the playoffs each year. Develop a sustainable offensive system. Draft QBs that fit the mold. Plug in new QB as needed. Use for 4-5 years. Let walk. Rinse/repeat.
You got it, dude. Unless you latch onto a MaHolmes, Burrow type, just build a defense, an O line and replace the WR QB and RB with rookies
And the 2 Super Bowls won by the Ravens used a 49er type model. Or, is that the other way around? Biscotti is well aware of this.