The list of teams not expected to pursue Lamar Jackson continues to expand. Although they have been loosely connected to the former MVP, the Patriots are believed to be among the growing list of franchises expected to steer clear of a monster Jackson offer.
Jackson’s contract demands are set to price out the Pats, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe (subscription required). New England was expected to be leery of such a contract, Bill Belichick‘s past praise for the dual-threat superstar notwithstanding, and Robert Kraft indicating rapper Meek Mill — a mutual friend of he and Jackson — informing him Jackson wanted to be a Patriot does not appear to be moving the needle enough for a full guarantee in the $200MM neighborhood.
Kraft said he will leave the Jackson decision up to Belichick, who helped construct the second pillar of the Patriots’ dynasty around Tom Brady agreeing to below-market deals for much of the 2010s. The Pats could obviously upgrade on Mac Jones with a Jackson deal, but the team has a rookie-QB contract to build around presently. Jones can be kept on his rookie deal through 2025, via the fifth-year option. A Jackson addition would not only reshape the Pats’ payroll but cost the team at least two first-round picks.
Jones’ potential is not keeping the Patriots out of the Jackson sweepstakes, Howe adds; the contractual and compensation requirements stand to do so. The Pats are not alone here. The Commanders, Dolphins, Falcons, Jets, Lions, Panthers and Raiders have either gone in different directions at quarterback or are expected to do so. The Colts emerged as a potential Jackson suitor, but Jim Irsay‘s comments regarding high guarantees would not point to Indianapolis — even amid post-Andrew Luck QB struggles that have come to define the franchise — being aggressive here.
Bovada lists the Ravens as the team most likely to be Jackson’s 2023 employer, slotting the Colts second. The Dolphins, Falcons and Patriots sit a distant third, fourth and fifth here. Jackson made his trade request — submitted March 2 — public earlier this week. Despite Deshaun Watson generating interest from more than a fourth of the league last year — in a controversial derby that generated three-first-rounder offers from four teams — Jackson is not drumming up a market.
Jackson’s demands come after two injury-plagued seasons, and his historic run-game involvement (for a quarterback) can lead to the assumption his career will not be as long as the franchise-QB peers with whom he is frequently compared. Injury concerns are believed to be part of the reason teams are shying away here, though Jackson’s age (26) would not seem to make any worries about a shorter career too relevant regarding his second contract.
Jackson, who continues to act as his own agent, sent out multiple tweets responding to perceived durability concerns Tuesday night. As of now, however, the Ravens are the only team that has expressed interest in signing him. The sides have until July 17 to work out a long-term contract, but the three-time Pro Bowler has been extension-eligible since January 2021. The Ravens have upped their offer considerably, but their centerpiece player remains unsigned.
The Colts are mentioned here. In very recent history (2019) they lost their dual threat QB to injury then early retirement. Does Irsay really want to go the dual threat QB route, again?
The way Josh Allen takes on defenders during his open field runs would suggest that he is more of an injury risk than the more elusive Jackson.
Allen is a much bigger man though. His body frame can take it easier
Josh better learn to change his game as well.
Josh Allen will be on IR before Halloween if he keeps trying to run over linebackers. Bills need an improved running game and Allen not leading power sweeps.
On the other hand, if Pats locked up Lamar they would lead the division. Otherwise they don’t make the playoffs with Mac Jones.
I haven’t read one article where 1 team has has brought Lamar in or went to speak with him. No one wants his headache. If he wants a Watson’esque deal, then hire his agent. Shouldn’t be that hard to figure out.
So he’s a headache because he wants to be paid? He’s had zero off field issues so far.
Apparently. Show me any article, local news or sports site, where 1 team has spoken to Lamar since being tagged.
that’s not proof he was an off the field problem or a headache. If anything it just proves that there is collusion because the owners don’t want another QB getting a guaranteed contract.
Of course! 32 owner now decide to collude against Lamar! Did you see how many hundreds of millions of dollars were spent on black players during FA this year?
As for not wanting other QB’s not getting guaranteed contracts, Kirk signed his fully guaranteed in 2018. Are you suggesting in the past 5 years, w/ only Watson’s contract guaranteed, that the owners have colluded non-stop? How many other starting QB’s have signed big deals during that time period? Active QB HoF’ers signed w/o guaranteed deals, Rodgers & Mahomes come to mind. Brady is famous for not maxing himself out for cap reasons….
This is 100% Lamar’s own doing, not the teams.
It’s ridiculous to cry collusion. He’s not worth what he thinks he is. Period. He’ll be out of the league in 3-4 years.
His lack of an agent IS an off-field issue. As is his presence off the field during the latter 1/4 of the past two seasons.
Plenty of other players that negotiated contracts without agents. Tunsil comes to mind. That again doesn’t prove he’s a problem off the field.
By plenty do you mean less than 2% of players? That 2% is for all US (and most likely world wide) pro sports.
This comment board REALLY needs a laugh emoji…
Roquan Smith has no agent and he did a new contract w/in what, a couple weeks of being traded to Baltimore. You can be a Lamar apologist all you want, but the dude is just plain in the wrong here on so many levels.
No kidding! Google top pro sports agencies and you’ll see an endless list. Loved this opening from the 1st one I read:
The sports industry is huge. To give you an idea, the MMA fighter Conor McGregor, the highest paid athlete in the world in 2021, made about $180 million on and off the field, according to Statista. What’s arguably even more impressive is that by the far the biggest chunk of his money was made via endorsements.
If you force him to play for the Ravens this year will he do his best? Also,why would his teammates follow him after he quit on them last year?
He’s a tight end/running back playing QB, but that’s beside the point.Two years of injuries and he wants guaranteed money. I’d give it to him, but only if he agreed to give some back if he underperformed or sat out with a injury.
What you just described is, in fact, the opposite of guaranteed money.
Why is it the opposite of guaranteed money? If he preforms and doesn’t quit on the team he gets a guaranteed amount. If he sucks the Ravens are guaranteed to get money back.
yeah, that’s not how guaranteed money works, so…..
I would add Burrow to that list.
Add Burrow to what list?
That comment was supposed to go to the comment below that stated that only Mahomes may be worth a guaranteed contract.
In my opinion, the only QB that can demand fully guaranteed contract right now is Patrick Mahomes. And even he doesn’t have one. Jackson is special player for sure, but his playing style suggests that his career would be shorter compare to other franchise QBs due to all the hits he absorbs during his runs. I think other owners/GMs have figured that out and are unwilling to give in to Jackson’s demands. I think Jackson has to be the one to budge.
Ask Laremy Tunsil if an agent is necessary in order to get signed to a massive new contract. Hint: Tunsil represented himself in the negotiations.
“hey yo Lamar will be good aight, he gots that dog in him” You know the one I mean, the big lazy one that likes to just lay around in the sunshine and beg for treats…..