One of the top offseason storylines in the NFL remains the Lamar Jackson saga. Contract talks between the Ravens and the former MVP have not yielded progress, and the latter revealed recently that he has requested a trade to a team willing to sign him to the deal he is seeking.
Multiple offseasons of negotiations have stalled, primarily due to the issue of guaranteed money. The contract given to Deshaun Watson by the Browns last season – five years in length, totaling $230MM guaranteed in full – has long been seen as the sticking point between the two parties. That could represent a benchmark for Jackson (and other quarterbacks due for monster extensions in the near future), though the rest of the NFL has made it clear they consider the Watson pact an exception, rather than the beginning of a new trend. 
Speaking on the subject during an appearance on the Bernie Kosar Show, longtime Ravens GM and current EVP Ozzie Newsome said, “every club has to do what they have to do with contracts. I don’t worry about what other people do, but our owner did say that contract did create some problems. We have to figure out if that’s going to be the norm or is that an outlier. We don’t know” (video link).
With the relationship between Jackson, 26, and the Ravens taking multiple noteworthy and public turns recently, many have speculated about the potential for his career to continue in Baltimore. On that point, ESPN’s Dan Graziano notes that a path towards fences being mended still exists in this situation. The Ravens have remained effusive in their praise of the former first-rounder, who is scheduled to play on the franchise tag ($32.4MM) in 2023 in the absence of a long-term deal.
Graziano adds that Jackson is asking for more than the $230MM Watson received in guaranteed money, but also that the Louisville product does not appear to be insistent on all of his deal being guaranteed. That may very well represent a moot point to many outside teams, considering the sizeable gap in guarantees which exists between the Watson pact and those signed last summer by the likes of Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray. It could, on the other hand, point further to Jackson and the Ravens being able to reach an agreement down the road.
However, Graziano’s colleague Jeremy Fowler reports that Baltimore is not currently moving with much urgency in terms of negotiations. Their decision to use the non-exclusive tag on Jackson left him free to test his market with potential suitors, but no serious ones have emerged at this point. Plenty of time remains until the draft, which could be an unofficial trade deadline, but also until the middle of July, the point by which Jackson will be required to sign the tag to be eligible to play this season. The ESPN pair note that the two-time Pro Bowler has become frustrated with Baltimore’s recent offers, and that he remains “principled” on the notion of setting a new precedent for future QB mega-deals.
While the Jackson saga is dominating the Ravens’ offseason, more news at the position could be forthcoming. Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed at the annual league meetings that the team is strongly considering adding a veteran backup quarterback. A number of options are off the market at this point in free agency, but The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec names Carson Wentz, Teddy Bridgewater and Mason Rudolph as potential targets who are still available (subscription required). In the event Jackson decides not to sign his tender by OTAs or training camp, the team will need to make an addition of some kind. By that point, more clarity may have emerged regarding their future under center.
Not content to just ruin the Cleveland Browns for years, owner Jimmy Haslem and his wife by their desperate actions because they know nothing at all about building a professional football organization, have now branched out to undermining the renamed Browns that moved to Baltimore, and in the future numerous other NFL franchises.
Commissioners and owners of franchises in that league best wise up and set some standards for both owners they allow in as well as curbing the behavior of the Haslem’s and others that are totally unprofessional in their approach to running NFL organizations.
There is only one person in the NFL who is deluded into think other teams making stupid contract decisions requires others to do the same – Lamar Jackson. You don’t see other players doing what Lamar is doing for good reason – their agents are smart enough to know that NFL contracts don’t work how Lamar thinks they do.
But don’t forget, Jackson remains ““principled” on the notion of setting a new precedent for future QB mega-deals”.
Which is sad because dude just ain’t a mega QB
There is zero evidence of racism in the NFL. None by the league, none by players or coaches and none by the fans. Many black players (and some black coaches) are idolized. The best athletes win spots.
Every fence can be mended with enough millions in guaranteed money.
Yeah. Right. While that’s true, the Ravens are and have been very smart on this. He ain’t getting what he wants from any one. The Ravens can sit back and let the market dictate his value. If and or when, he figured it out, he’ll sign. If I’m the ravens, I’d pull the tag offer off the plate. He’s gonna mess around and sign it any the very last minute any way. Pull it and let him swing in the wind.
If they pulled the tag he’d immediately become a free agent and they would lose him for nothing. Probably have several teams talking to him then. Would never happen.
If they pulled the tag he’d immediately become a free agent and they would lose him for nothing. Probably have several teams talking to him then. Would never happen…
They are not pulling the tag and getting nothing. If they trade him they will get at least 2 1st, and 2 2nd round picks. At this point no team is getting anywhere close to “Lamar’s Price.”
Lil Jon. Pull the tag and let Lamar go? For Ravens fans sake, good thing you’re not the GM
I say extend Jackson! Give him what he wants! Then never be good again. He’s a horrible QB, doesn’t win any big games, can’t pass the ball and ran to an MVP he didn’t deserve! Jackson is a fool
This guy brings up a good point. School funding. Are we doing enough to help people who are dumb?
You clearly have no idea what you’re talking about. He killed it throwing the ball his MVP year
He’s got an arm for sure. IMO, not at an elite level for feeling pressure in the pocket resulting in risky throws or panic fleeing by foot.
Agreed. Tremendous athlete But as a Steelers fan, I hope he stays in Baltimore. Just doesn’t scare me
The Ravens probably feel the same about Pickett
Funny to still hear about how awful and systemically racist the NFL is when some of the highest paid QB’s are Mahomes, Wilson, Watson, Murray, and probably soon to be Lamar.
Just because they pay QBs a high salary doesn’t mean that have some issues with racism. Case in point look how few African American coaches there are
Case in point look how few white players there are.
They don’t even let Eskimos in the league.
There are TONS of black coaches. Not as many head coaches, but even that tide has turned. Look at how many diversity hires now run front offices. There are 4 black HC’s, out of 32 teams, which translates to roughly 12.5% of HC’s being black. That is in line with our population being roughly 13.5% black, with roughly half of those being women. So what was your tired and false narrative about a lack of coaches again?
Owners and GMs can talk about the Watson contract being an “outlier” all they want but in the entire history of the NFL there isn’t a single instance where a new salary benchmark didn’t become the norm. Salary escalations are just as inevitable as increased costs to fans who purchase game tickets or merchandise.
Actually there is ONE instance. When Tom Brady supposedly signed his last NE deal for LESS than was expected. If you want to believe that story…
The best part is the Ravens know no other team wants Lamar. They can use the non-exclusive tag 2 more times and save millions each year rather than using the exclusive tag. Lamar would be 29 by then & his running game would most likely be shot or at least slower. Then they can draft another QB. Lamar wants to play tough business, give it to him.
The caveat is “ no one wants him for *that* price.
Look, he’s a phenomenal athlete but he’s not the QB that’s going to lead most teams to glory. Those teams already have their franchise QB’s.
For both prices. The two 1st rounders and his contract demands.
Wouldn’t it be telling if Baltimore found a QB in the draft. Maybe they should get draft advice from the 49’ers.
Yes, for how they did it last year. No, for how they did it the year before.
dorian thompson robinson, hendon hooker.
DTR fits their offense pretty well. That’d be the spot he’d likely have the best chance at success.
I would not be surprised to see him go there.
For the same if the Ravens franchise and fan base they need to move on from LaMar. This has turned in to such a mess. Ravens would be much better served to focus on the future without him . As long as this hangs around the further it sets them back from building a team. LaMar is a great player … same as 6 or 7 other great QBs playing today. There are other capable QBs …History has told us over and over and over that a running QB typically has a short career. While he may be 26 but LaMar at 30 will be like 40 …
Not a $50 million/year player.
This has all the earmarks of a blockbuster deal of some kind on draft night or at least something that involves a multiple of draft picks with another team. Guess we’ll find out soon enough
Well, assuming Wentz bought a place in the area when he joined the Commanders and hasn’t sold it yet, this would be a convenient landing spot for him.
Convenient, perhaps. Logical, no. Desired by fans, not at all.
Not a lot of options out there with guys who aren’t currently employed. Most logical spots seemed to have been places like Carolina, Atlanta and Miami but they’ve seemed to double down with their current QB’s or look to draft one.
Is Indy still in play or is that a pipe dream. And would the Ravens be good with drafting one of the young guns in this draft and moving on
Interesting options…or non options
IMO, Ravens are built for a playoff run. If not Lamar, they’ll need a vet not a rookie to be competitive… and not Huntley. If Lamar comes back at 32 mil, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be 100% ready, willing and able to lead. Bring a vet in for 13 mil or less (32+13 =42 exclusive tag amount ceiling) and have a training camp competition.
I dunno. As a Steelers fan, the Ravens are always built for a playoff run. Just a good, well run organization and from afar, one of the reasons it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Ravens move on
Agree with you about the vet being a better option, though.
32+13=42??? Hopefully you weren’t the one calling Lamar dumb
Hey there Deerhunter. Meant 45. I was only off 3 digits. LOL. And know, I’ve never thought of Lamar as dumb. I believe this ” feeling the pressure in the pocket” is an instinctive action not learned. He’s good at it but not at the level of a Mahomes or Brady or Rogers. Cheers.
The Ravens already went through this with Flacco. Gave him a big contract, couldn’t afford Bouldin and a few other players. Only difference is Flacco produced a SB win.
before he got paid.
….and none of the players that they “couldn’t afford” were good Post leaving. Ellerbe, Boldin, Kruger, Pollard, Cary Williams, even older Ed Reed.
Also, Flacco cost 14M that season. Ellerbe got 7M per year, Boldin was 6M, Kruger got 8M per year, Reed got 6M, Williams made 6M, Pollard made 3.1M so that’s about 36M. At best baltimore keeps two of them and they didn’t play well. They spent money on a guy who got injured. Can’t predict that but assuming they lost guys due to a guy who made 14M that season screams that you didn’t know what actually happened.
Lamar’s says that his goal is to have a higher amount of guaranteed money than Deshaun Watson. The Ravens should call his bluff by offering more guaranteed money, but with a relatively low average annual value. Why not offer him, say, 7 years for $250 million, all guaranteed? That works out to about $35 million per year, which is a bargain in terms of AAV.
I think people forget where the money for players originates. The fans pay.
NFL get from TV or streaming radio, owners get from nfl tv revenue and ticket sales and advertising, tv gets money from advertising and fans purchasing cable or satellite or streaming services – every time player salaries rise cost to the fan increases.
It’s why I can’t afford to see games real time.
It’s why I