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. Their current situation is the result of longstanding contract negotiations reaching a well-established impasse. 
Guaranteed money has long been reported as the sticking point between Baltimore’s front office and the 26-year-old, who does not have an agent. The Ravens’ top offer from last offseason included $133MM in guaranteed money, which would have ranked second in the league behind only the historic deal signed by Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Jackson, meanwhile, has repeatedly attempted to use that $230MM contract as the market value for his next pact.
Adding further to that notion, a detailed report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Jamison Hensley states that each counteroffer Jackson has made to the Ravens so far were fully guaranteed contracts which “exceeded that of Watson.” The latter was given his massive accord after sitting out the 2021 season in Houston, and being the subject of a bidding war between several teams before the Browns gave the Texans a package including three first-round picks to acquire him. Other QB extensions around the league since then have pointed to the Watson deal being an outlier, rather than the new norm.
That has left the two parties in a standoff, and the assumption that a franchise tag will either extend the negotiating period into the summer or, perhaps, open up the possibility of a tag-and-trade. Much will be determined by whether or not the Ravens use the exclusive or non-exclusive tag, given the differences in not only value but the involvement other teams could have in influencing negotiations. A decision on that front will need to be made no later than March 7.
Among the other key takeaways from the ESPN piece is the fact that it includes further team sources expressing their surprise that Jackson missed the Ravens’ wild card loss to the Bengals. The former MVP’s knee sprain cost him time to close out the regular season as well, and he drew criticism from inside and outside the organization for his absence. That, coupled with his statistical outputs since the 2019 campaign, have clouded his future.
The hire of Todd Monken as offensive coordinator has led to the expectation the Ravens will throw the ball more than they did under Greg Roman. The former Buccaneers and Browns OC has made clear his intention of developing Jackson more as a passer, something which would no doubt lead to improved performances individually and for the team, should he find himself in Charm City in 2023.
Confirming what many have believed regarding contract talks, ESPN’s Dianna Russini tweets that Jackson is receiving guidance on this matter from the NFLPA. While that does not represent a direct replacement for an agent, it allows the two-time Pro Bowler to have support while negotiating the league’s next mega-deal. Something significant will likely need to take place for traction to be gained, though, regarding a contract being finalized any time soon.
from google: The team (Ravens) has qualified for the NFL playoffs 14 times since 2000 with two Super Bowl titles (Super Bowl XXXV and Super Bowl XLVII), two AFC Championship titles (2000 and 2012), four AFC Championship game appearances (2000, 2008, 2011 and 2012) and six AFC North division titles (2003, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2018, and 2019).
Didn’t even look up Browns stats. Enough said.
What an idiot. I’m sorry. He has to be if he thinks he’s getting that kind of contract. Even if he wasn’t injured so often, his performance does not garner such a contract.
The Ravens should just tag him. And possible next year depending on performance this year. Then cut him loose. Let someone else make the mistake of a huge contract. Though I doubt he will ever get the contract he’s desiring.
When did Deshaun Watson win MVP?
From the article: “Other QB extensions around the league since then have pointed to the Watson deal being an outlier, rather than the new norm.”
He would easily get what he is asking for on the open market
Even tagging this egotist makes no sense. Better to trade him to some team that wants to go 10-7 the next 4 years and then be strapped with $100 million in dead cap when his legs go south.
But will any team trade for him knowing and giving him his contract demands? I just don’t think so
Is he any more egotistical than other superstar QBs? Is it immodest for a 26-year old MVP winner to want to be paid nearly as much a a sex pest who took a year off and has torn his ACL twice?
The Browns being a poorly run franchise doesn’t mean that the Ravens need to do the same.
Baltimore should not pay him what he’s demanding. If they really don’t plan to..then be smart and trade him to the highest bidder this off-season. You can’t keep him around and let him lose more value, as you saw last year exactly how dedicated he’ll be to a team not willing to write him a blank check. Very bad look for him. I’d say there’s no chance he gets what he’s demanding..however, as Browns ownership highlights, there are some rich morons around the nfl. It only takes 1.
Baltimore tried to negotiate with him but broke off talks when they realized his agent is a moron…you get what you pay for.
@polish, not sure if you’re being cynical, if not, then you should know Lamar has never had an agent and has represented himself since declearing pro.
And how is that been working out for him? Keep in mind that rookie contracts are pretty much settled based on draft slot. So nothing to really negotiate
So he’s kept an extra 3% of his career earnings, with means he’s made an extra ~$975,000 so far.
He’s saving $thousands while leaving millions on the table because he doesn’t know what he’s doing. There’s a reason why agents are typically lawyers and need to be certified and not your mom or your homies that read about contracts once while on Google.
He hasn’t left millions on the table yet. I do think it’s silly not to have an agent right now, but it hasn’t actually cost him yet. And homies?
@polish, ooof,
We don’t know what terms an agent would highlight opposed to no agent. He is attempting to maximize value, whether salary via contract or not paying a % to agent.
I commend him for wanting to take on the responsibility. Also remember he was a junior who was not high on draft lists. So holding out in case he qouks return to college was an option. I tend to not be hard on players whos mess ups don’t include murder, domestic or violet crimes.
I hope they break the bank on him and ruin that classless franchise for the next 10 years.
Classless? You mean the class of the AFC North
Lamar you gotta sexually assault dozens of women and have a buffoon for an owner to get that contract!
No u need an idiot owner
If the Ravens don’t want to fully guarantee his deal someone else will. Lamar should not play unless he gets the deal he wants.
No. They won’t.
I think some team will. Look at Arizona and Kyler Murray. Just my opinion though.
He might get a fully guaranteed deal if he gets a 3 year contract. No one is giving him a fully guaranteed deal for 5 years like Watson. That was a ridiculous contract and as stated in the article it’s viewed as an outlier. Lamar is out of his depth here.
He has to play under the franchise tag or he doesn’t get paid. Leveon Bell know how that works out
If they tag him there is zero chance he plays under the tag for the Ravens
Trade Lamar now. Every day, his value diminishes. Get a Brinks truck full of 1-3 rd picks, compliment a near-championship defense, and make the roster look like the Niners roster. Pay Patrick Queen and Marcus Peters. Win now, show drama the door.
You want to pay Patrick Queen more than you want to pay Lamar? lol. Who’s your QB in this grand plan?
You’re a Jets fan so I get why you want a qb. Anyone who pays Lamar what he’s asking will end up regretting it within 3 years latest. Yes, he’s a great talent, but he is not worth what he’s asking. Nowhere near that. You can’t compete under the salary cap restrictions with those numbers. It’s tough to do with the true elites, let alone a guy that needs a supporting cast
I also don’t uncritically believe every leaked rumor I hear about what someone is asking in contract negotiations.
What happens if the Ravens tag him and Lamar stages a holdout and refuses to play?
I’m guessing it would play out like the Le’Veon Bell situation did a few years back.
@MotownWings. I agree. And possibly one step further. Maybe he’s done? He wants out of the game altogether. Very personal decision that right now is just between him and his mom. Not all that long ago the Colt’s Andrew Luck walked away in his prime. No shame here.
Lamar would lose about 2.5m a week and not sign a tag for 45m? I don’t think he’s that stupid.
He’ll get 32.2 or 42.2 million this year ( depending on the tag) and roughly 38/54 in 2024. I think he’ll be ok.
Man, people on here love to hate on Lamar. Don’t get me wrong; this whole thing would be a lot easier if he had an agent, the injuries don’t help matters, and the Watson contract threw everything out of whack. But the guy’s been damn good, even though he’s had to be the QB *and* primary weapon. They’ve never had a good receiving corps for him and we’ve never seen him in an offense that made an effort to develop the passing game. Roman put the whole offense on his legs, then people decry him for being nothing but his legs. I’m curious to see what he could do with Monken, but if he ends up somewhere like Atlanta, it could be awesome. He’s not a perfect horse to hitch your team’s wagons to, but once you get past Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Herbert, and let’s say Lawrence, you start running out of definitively better options pretty quickly.
Are you saying Lawrence is a top 5 qb?
I’m making a back of the napkin projection of who best QBs to have for the next 2-5 years are. Lawrence hasn’t quite made that leap yet, but I think he’s likely about to.
What exactly has Herbert and Lawrence done? For that matter, Jackson’s career record is so much better than Burrow’s and they have the same amount of Super Bowl wins. Jackson does have an MVP though
I don’t disagree with you, but my point is that it’s a short list even if you round up. I would also understand preferring to bet on one of those guys for the next few years, even if they haven’t done more so far.
Super Bowl wins is a terrible way to judge a qb
Don’t see Ravens giving fully guarantee to Lamar. Same for Burrows, Herbert and Hurts from their teams. Ravens should use non-exclusive tag and let market decide Lamar’s value. I believe he will see the Watson deal with the Browns is the outlier and the rest of the league team owners won’t want to open that box. If Lamar gets an offer from another team better than Ravens he should take it and Ravens get two #1 picks. End of saga.
No one is going to give up 2 first round picks for the honor of paying him the “Watson” level guarantee he apparently wants. It ain’t gonna happen.
Oh yes they will. If Miami got him, they’d be right up there with the Bengals and Bills trying to catch the Chiefs
Will be interesting how this plays out. There are teams desperate for a QB and Jackson is still in his prime. If Ravens only place the transition tag on him, I can see him signing a contract with close to fully guaranteed money but for more years than Watson’s deal and Ravens will have to make decision. If you put the franchise tag on him and can’t agree to a deal then who knows when the soap opera will end.
He’s not that great. He gets worse and worse every year.
The J.E.T.S should go all out for him and become relevant for once other than ESPN trying to force feed us their news cause they once played in NY and kept the name.
If the Ravens give Lamar $250MM guaranteed will Watson insist the Browns rework his contract?
It’s time for fully guaranteed contracts for all nfl players. Go get it Lamar.
That’s negotiated every time they do the CBA, so obviously they concede on that for other more important issues.