Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta shouldn’t have expected anything less than a Lamar Jackson-themed grilling at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, and that’s exactly what he got.
The quarterback has become the subject of trade rumors given the contract standoff between himself and the team. And, with the tag deadline quickly approaching, decisions need to be made.
Speaking to reporters this Wednesday, DeCosta noted that the Ravens have not decided on which tag to use on Jackson but he’s hoping the parties could reach an extension before Tuesday’s deadline.
“We want Lamar here,” he was also quoted as saying, per The Athletic.
DeCosta also revealed that Baltimore has five or six different plans all contingent on what unfolds as it pertains to the circumstances surrounding the QB.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, who also spoke to the media, insisted that Jackson is “our guy” but negotiations such as the one between the team and its signal-caller are never easy, though he remains “fervently hopeful” that a deal will be reached soon.
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Jackson missed the Ravens’ final six games last season, including their playoff fixture against the Cincinnati Bengals, with a sprained knee. While the injury was not thought to be season-ending at first, the QB hasn’t suited up since, leading to speculation over his relationship with the team.
The 26-year-old is reported to have turned down a $250 million extension that included $133 million in guaranteed money.
The team will have to decide whether to use the exclusive or non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson if they can’t agree on a deal before March 7.
