A common conception of the situation surrounding the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s efforts towards a new deal has been that Jackson has refused to participate in negotiations. Jackson’s teammate, defensive lineman Calais Campbell, told the media this week that Jackson is more than willing to work out a new contract, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.
“He wants to get a deal done, and that’s the most important part” Campbell said on NFL Network. “Sometimes guys who are part of a team and don’t want to be there anymore use (free agency) as an opportunity to go elsewhere, but he wants to be (a Raven).”
Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported yesterday that the Ravens remain “hopeful” for a new deal and that the team currently has their best offer yet on the table for Jackson. It’s reportedly not an all or nothing offer, as the Ravens are waiting for a counter to their proposal from Jackson. We have no certain facts as to what the deal may entail, but on The Athletic Football Show podcast hosted by Robert Mays, rumors were mentioned that Baltimore is willing to go up to $50MM per year and 80% guaranteed money. The team is running out of time before they’ll be required to tag Jackson or, barring a more preferred resolution, trade him.
Here are a few more rumors from around the AFC North, starting with one of the main reasons the Ravens are having such an issue with Jackson’s new contract:
- News that comes as a surprise to absolutely nobody, the Browns are exploring restructuring the historic fully-guaranteed contract of quarterback Deshaun Watson, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. The team is facing a challenge in getting under the salary cap and have already confirmed plans to release safety John Johnson in order to clear some space. After a first year of Watson’s contract that held a base salary of $402,500 and a cap hit of $9.40MM, Watson’s numbers in 2023 jump up to a base salary of $46MM and a record-setting cap hit of $54.99MM. Browns general manager Andrew Berry acknowledged that, with the team currently about $13.42MM over the cap, Watson’s mammoth contract could be a source of wiggle room with a restructure.
- Since the Steelers waited until after last year’s draft to replace then-general manager Kevin Colbert, new general manager Omar Khan is going through his first draft process. According to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, Khan plans to use assistant general manager Andy Weidl much in the way Weidl was used in Philadelphia. That is to say that the Steelers will rely on Weidl to put together the team’s draft board before turning it over to the higher ups who will make the draft decisions. Weidl will utilize input from director of player scouting Mark Sadowski, director of college scouting Dan Colbert, and director of pro scouting Sheldon White, then Khan will work together with head coach Mike Tomlin and owner Art Rooney to make decisions.
The Browns!!!! Am I wrong, folks??
Clowns doing clown things.
What incentive would Watson have to restructure since it only benefits the team? Wouldn’t it be a hoot if he asks for even more fully guaranteed money?
I believe they can restructure the contract and change some of the money into a “signing bonus and open cap space, Watson doesn’t have to take any less money. He just gets more up front, and smaller weekly pay checks.
That’s how it is normally done – but in this case all Watson’s money is guaranteed already, thus Watson’s agent holds ALL the leverage (since there isn’t any non-guaranteed cash to convert – and thus no reason to modify the contract).
Since “ALL” of the money in his contract is “fully guaranteed”, it makes perfect sense to restructure it. It’d free up cap space to create a BETTER TEAM w/o him giving up ANY of his fortune (I mean overpriced salary).
Maybe he wants to win and opening up cap space lets them get better players. He still gets his money, but they can add players to upgrade. Doubt Watson wants to be on another Texans team that is him and a bunch of average guys that at best win 8 games
That didn’t take long for the Browns to be feeling the pinch of that contract. They did it to themselves.
Unfortunately, so true. The trade for Watson will hamper the Browns’ efforts to have a winning team for years to come.
1) $50MM per year with $40MM guaranteed… wow… (I know that’s not completely how it works, but for the sake of averages)
2) Eventually, by kicking Watson’s contract down the road repeatedly, they’re gonna wind up with a cap hit of $100MM for a season of him
Yeah, but he wins nearly half the games he starts and has under 50 women accusing him of sexual assault, so all in all it was a solid move by the Browns!
Weidl and Khan handling the Steelers draft and free agency are a breath of fresh air, especially if the former is charged with doing what he did for the Eagles. I have to believe Weidl understands the importance of the lines on both sides of the ball and will address the holes the Steelers have immediately
Maybe Lamar is done. And he’s using free agency not to go elsewhere but to leave the game altogether. Ravens tag him, he refuses and sits out. Over the course of the 23 season he announces his retirement. It happens. He’s been banged up last couple of years and in his mind it’s time to get out while health is okay. Ala Andrew Luck.
So Lamar is going to give up on his pursuit of $230MM in guaranteed money and work at Dairy Queen for minimum wage like Le’veon Bell did? I don’t think so.
Yep! But I wasn’t picturing Dairy Queen, to me, Lamar looks more like a Chick Filet kinda guy.
I can definitely see him walking away. He’s already set for life. I believe he’s accumulated $40 mil +/- in salary to date. Good guy. Until recently I was buying animosity media hype. But now, best Grateful for the opportunity the Ravens gave him. He and his mom, with joy, can move on in to the next phase of their lives’ journey!
I like your thinking here and am somewhat amazed when guys who are hit with injuries and who are blessed with foresight about how it will translate into middle age and older don’t go the route of Andrew Luck
You’re right. Just how much money does one need, anyway?
Just what is there to prove through a sport ?
I think the majority of pro athletes get hooked on the fame, the money and the lifestyle. You hear them talk. You see it in tabloids. Most don’t see the bigger picture, or care
I’m a Steelers fan but wish Lamar luck. Phenomenal athlete.