The Ravens appear to be putting forth maximum effort towards extending star quarterback Lamar Jackson. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta went down to South Florida to meet with Jackson in an attempt to further negotiations. 
DeCosta reportedly left Miami with work to be done, as Pelissero claims the two sides remain on track for a franchise tag. The two parties have been the subject of much speculation, and after a year of negotiations, no consensus has been reached on a long-term deal. Former general manager and current Ravens executive vice president/player personnel Ozzie Newsome spoke on the subject today and seemed to confirm Pelissero’s assessment, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
“Today and up until 3:30 tomorrow, a lot of energy will be utilized in trying to get a deal done,” Newsome said on “The Bernie Kosar Show.” “If not, we will put the franchise tag on him.”
Baltimore has not utilized the franchise tag since using it in 2020 told hold on to pass rusher Matt Judon, but with Jackson’s status as a Raven hanging in the balance, the team seems fated to go that route again. The biggest question following “will Jackson be a Raven and how” is currently “which franchise tag with they use?”
If the Ravens administer the non-exclusive tag, it will allow other teams to negotiate potential deals with Jackson, presenting Baltimore with the option to match the offer or refuse it and be awarded two first-round picks as compensation. It’s difficult to imagine any offer another team would put up that the Ravens wouldn’t match, so it’s a dangerous route that could bite them. The exclusive franchise tag would restrict Jackson from participating in such negotiations but would allow him to hold out all the way up until the regular season if a new deal is not reached, a la Jessie Bates or, even worse, Le’Veon Bell.
Regardless of which decision the Ravens have in mind, they’re still going to give Jackson’s extension the old college try. As hopeless as it may seem, Newsome, DeCosta, and company will be working up until the finish line in an attempt to keep Jackson in black and purple long-term.
$13 million dollar decision – exclusive ($45M) or non-exclusive ($32.4M).
Are other teams (Falcons, Bucs, Jets, Colts?) prepared to pay and also surrender 2 first round picks ?
Yes!
Hate saying it but the Ravens probably won’t be upset with that outcome. They’d rather him in the building but if the Colts(5th pick), Falcons(8th pick) or even the Jets with the 13th pick gave up that and 50M…the Ravens probably just say they made the effort and move on.
Also, you let me know how the Bucs and their negative 57M in cap space affords Lamar.
As badly as those teams need a QB, I find it hard to believe that anyone is gonna give this guy the kind of guaranteed Watson money he wants AND give up 2 first round picks.
They were going to give watson his money and more picks for watson. So it makes a lot of sense to get a dynamic WB for significantly less.
Only if there not very bright
Irony…
Do not extend him. You haven’t seen the worst of him yet. They’ll regret it much like the Cowboys are going to regret extending Dak Prescott. Neither one of these two will ever win a Superbowl. Granted Dak is a better QB than Jackson but he’s mostly garbage time numbers
A lot of really good players never win a SB though. 1/3 of the last 21 SBs have been won by one QB. After that you have Roethlisberger with 2, Mahomes with 2, Peyton with 2 and Eli with 2. That’s 15 of the last 21 SBs won by 5 guys leaving all of six other QBs to say they’ve won one and some of those players aren’t even that good.
What you can’t say is neither Dak nor Lamar gives you a chance at winning a SB. They both do. It’s a team sport and while the praise and criticism are heaped on one position, it’s not that simple. Saying don’t extend a guy who is pretty dynamic is just silly.
Given how incompetent Greg Roman is at designing a pass game, I’d say we haven’t seen the best of Lamar.
Doubt it – as if they pay Lamar the fully guaranteed money he is seeking they won’t be able to afford anybody but practice squad players.
Most of their money is tied up on the Defensive side. They wouldn’t be downgrading the playmakers at WR obviously. OLine is good. Andrews is paid already. The biggest change is at OC.
Not sure why you’d want to pay a guy that purposely left your team high and dry.
Next Lamar update in 5…4…3…2…1
Panthers would bid aggressively if Lamar gets the non-exclusive tag.
Panthers can offer 3 #1s and CB Horn for Lamar and starting safety Chuck Clark. I think Ravens would take that.
If they asked for CC, they’d be giving up a little more. The defensive captain isn’t going anywhere for an injured player.
This is a move the Lions could make. Send Goff to BAL with either first this year and their first next year. Give Lamar the guaranteed money and let the good times roll!
What’s that old saying? “If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would ever get done?”