The biggest news over the weekend happened when Odell Beckham Jr. found his next team to play for.
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens haven’t been on the best of terms this offseason, but the team’s decision to sign Odell Beckham Jr. on Sunday night might be the one thing that could help patch things up between Baltimore and its star QB.
Not everybody feels like this was a good idea.
NFL analyst Ross Tucker is calling the deal “Maybe the worst contract I’ve ever seen the Ravens give out.”
He pointed out his age as well as his injury history. Also, he’s not even sure that Odell could be any good anymore after his latest ACL injury.
“This absolutely has to have something to do with Lamar Jackson. Probably a lot to do with Lamar Jackson,” Tucker said on Monday morning. “Fifteen million dollars? Fully guaranteed? For a guy who will be 31, has torn his ACL twice in the last two years, has 856 yards receiving in the last three years, and didn’t play last year at all.
“…You know how I know it has something to do with Lamar Jackson? Because Lamar Jackson posts a FaceTime picture on Instagram of him and Odell Beckham Jr. Which, by the way, what happened to your trade request, Lamar? Probably not a real good look for you trade demand that you’re posting a pic excited with OBJ being a Raven. But that’s another story. The point is that that’s even more proof that I really believe the Ravens way overpaid Odell Beckham Jr. Maybe the worst contract I’ve ever seen the Ravens give out. They did it because they obviously think this will help them get Lamar Jackson signed. Or at least get him to play for them this year. There’s no other explanation.”
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The addition of Beckham, who signed a one-year deal, could be exactly what the Ravens need to help thaw their relationship with Jackson. The two sides have been at odds over a new contract. Jackson demanded a trade but the team placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on him instead, which allowed teams to negotiate with him. Things took another odd turn last week when the Ravens refused to answer any questions about Jackson during a pre-draft press conference.
The reason the addition of Beckham could serve as an icebreaker between the Ravens and their star QB. Jackson will likely be in uniform for the Ravens next season, but next year could be entirely different.
Jackson could sign his franchise tag tomorrow, and if he did that, he’d make $32.4 million for the 2023 season. If he did sign the tag, he’d still have until July 17 to try and work out a long-term deal with the team.
