The Baltimore Ravens were told by Lamar Jackson that he was requesting a trade. Instead, they used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, so he is free to negotiate with other teams. If he signs an offer sheet, Baltimore would have the option of matching it or letting Jackson walk and getting back two first-round draft picks from the quarterback’s new team. The Ravens could also trade him without any offer sheets coming into play.
If nothing happens, he will play next year for a $32.4 million salary.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said on “The Pat McAfee Show” Wednesday that he believes Jackson is likely to remain with the Ravens, but he also might not show up to play for them at all.
“I really do think it’s going to come down to him and the Ravens and (whether) they can work something out before the middle of July on a long-term deal,” Florio said. “And if they can’t, will he play for $32.4 million in 2023? I wouldn’t. I would want more than $32.4 million if I’m Lamar Jackson. I think we have to take seriously the possibility that he won’t show up this year unless they offer him more money than what he’s due to make.”
Teams are unlikely to pursue him if he is still seeking the same $230 million fully guaranteed deal that Deshaun Watson got from the Cleveland Browns.
No team is going to want to commit that type of money to a QB that has missed multiple games as well as a playoff game in the past few years. In a series of tweets late Tuesday night, Jackson defended his recent injury history and explained why he didn’t travel with the Ravens to Cincinnati for their AFC wild-card playoff game against the Bengals.
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If Jackson wants to move on, he will need to come down on his demands.
