As the Lamar Jackson saga carries on into another offseason for the Ravens, patience is wearing thin in Baltimore. The quarterback has been the subject of trade speculation after playing on the franchise tag last season.
After becoming one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league while playing on his rookie deal, the Ravens gave Jackson the franchise tag last year. He made $23 million in the 2022 season after he was guaranteed $7.5 million during his four-year contract.
The unprecedented fully-guaranteed contract the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson has some thinking that Jackson may receive a chunk of his money guaranteed as well, but that may have to happen for a new team. The bridges are burning in Baltimore and there may not be enough time for them to rebuild them.
NFL insider Jason La Canfora and Carl Dukes of the Audacy Original Podcast “In The Huddle” explained why Jackson will likely cut his next team a better deal after putting up with the situation in Baltimore.
“I think the deal he takes for the next guy who he hasn’t risked five years of his neck for, who he hasn’t played through injury for, who he hasn’t won an MVP for, who hasn’t come out publicly and said ‘I’m not sure you’re worth my money and I don’t think you even really think you are,’” La Canfora said (13:36 in player above). “I think he’ll cut them a better deal than he’s going to cut (Ravens owner) Steve Bisciotti and (Ravens general manager) Eric DeCosta,” La Canfora said (13:36 in player above).
He listed off Miami, New York, Atlanta, Carolina, Chicago – and even Detroit as a mystery team – as possible landing spots for Jackson.
It’s gotten personal for the Ravens quarterback, La Canfora said.
“I got a blank slate there versus what I’ve already done for you for five years here,” he continued. “You want me to play for one more year on a franchise tag for you? Another prove-it deal? A sixth year where I have no future money coming to me besides what the CBA stipulates? Nah, bro. Nah.”
“I’m with you,” Dukes said. “That’s why I think he gets traded, I really do.”
Jackson is still just 26 years old and, when healthy, has the ability to thrive in today’s NFL. He already showed he can do that when he won the MVP award in his first full season, throwing for 36 touchdowns and adding seven on the ground.
The Ravens may regret pulling Jackson every which way in contract negotiations and his next team could very well reap those rewards.
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