The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson may not agree on a long-term deal and it may lead to him playing elsewhere.
The star quarterback reportedly wants a guaranteed contract that is more than Deshaun Watson’s deal with the Cleveland Browns. In fact, he has only submitted counteroffers of fully guaranteed contracts exceeding Watson’s during negotiations last year, according to Jeremy Fowler and Jamison Hensley of ESPN. The richest contract in history belongs to Watson as he signed a five-year, $230-million fully guaranteed deal.
Jackson turned down a five-year, $250-million contract with $133 million guaranteed as the team has been reluctant to give him a fully guaranteed deal.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN wrote a column this week on how to improve all 32 teams in the NFL. For a team like the Colts, he stated they should move on from Matt Ryan.
“The Colts likely will cut Ryan, a move which will free up $17.2 million on their 2023 cap, though $12 million of his base salary already is guaranteed. The team will be on the hook for that amount if he doesn’t sign elsewhere. I have no doubt Ryan could find an opportunity somewhere as a veteran backup for one of the many teams running a version of the Kyle Shanahan offense, but with that $12 million bringing his career earnings north of $300 million, nobody would fault the 2016 MVP if he chose to retire. — Bill Barnwell, ESPN+”
He then suggested the Ravens should seriously consider trading quarterback Lamar Jackson, and the Colts could be one team willing to make a deal.
“Of course, all first-round picks aren’t created equal, which makes the decision just that much more difficult for Baltimore. Getting the No. 29 overall pick and a 2024 first-rounder from the Saints or the No. 25 pick and a 2024 first-rounder from the Giants might not be an exciting return for a 26-year-old former MVP.
With that in mind, it makes sense for the Ravens to approach teams in the top half of Round 1 about Jackson. Would the Falcons be willing to send the No. 8 overall pick and a 2024 first-rounder? Would the Panthers make a similar deal from No. 9, or the Titans at No. 11? Should the Ravens call Colts team owner Jim Irsay about the No. 4 overall pick, put the phone on hold and just play a loop of Sam Ehlinger and Carson Wentz turnovers until Irsay gives in? — Bill Barnwell, ESPN+”
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With the franchise tag window open, the countdown is on to see how the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson are going to approach the impending deadline.
Jackson is set to hit free agency on March 13th.
This past season, he missed the Ravens’ final seven games – including their wild-card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals – due to a knee injury he suffered in Week 12. many accused him of sitting out to protect himself from further injury as he works to get a new deal.
He only travaled with the team for one regular-season game while sidelined and did not attend Baltimore’s playoff matchup in Cincinnati.
If the team is looking to replace him, it will be hard to do so as they hold the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
