Lamar Jackson

NFL Contract Notes: Fatukasi, Jackson, Diggs

June 7th, 2025 at 3:32pm CST by Ely Allen

A month ago, we saw the Texans re-sign defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi to keep him in Houston for the second straight season. After watching the Jaguars terminate his three-year, $30MM deal a year early, Houston added him to the roster last year for only $5.13MM on a one-year contract.

In his second year with the team, Fatukasi has taken a discount to remain a Texan. In 2025, he’ll play on a reduced one-year, $3MM contract, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Wilson adds that the deal includes $1.5MM in guarantees comprised of a $1MM signing bonus and $500K of his base salary (worth $1.5MM in 2025). Fatukaski will represent a $2.82MM hit to Houston’s salary cap. He’ll also have the opportunity to earn an additional $500K over the course of the deal with $29,411 per game active roster bonuses.

Here are a few other interesting contract notes from around the AFC:

For the second straight offseason, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been absent from team activities in Baltimore. Mike Florio of NBC Sports notes that the absence will reduce Jackson’s 2025 compensation $750K from $43.5MM to $42.75MM. The reduction is a result of Jackson not fulfilling a clause to participate in 27 of 32 team workouts. Obviously, over the course of a five-year, $260MM deal, one would hardly notice a $1.5MM drop over two years, but he may not be without it for long. As rumors begin to form focusing on a new extension to keep Jackson in line with the constantly inflating market, the $1.5MM bonuses would be an easy throw-in somewhere within the likely $60+MM per year deal.
Jackson isn’t alone losing out on money this offseason. Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs and Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs each decided to surrender their bonuses in order to work out together in Miami this summer, per Ben Volin of The Boston Globe. Dallas will avoid paying Diggs $500K due to the absence. Volin posits that New England likely didn’t expect to see Diggs in workouts this summer, noting that, if they had wanted to see him there, they could have offered him more than the $200K he’s now missing out on. Following a bit of controversy in Miami, he’s now present in New England and should be at mandatory minicamp this week.

Ravens Rumors: Jackson, Flowers, Armour-Davis, Mitchell

June 6th, 2025 at 10:01pm CST by Ely Allen

We mentioned recently that, following the extension of wide receiver Rashod Bateman, an extension for quarterback Lamar Jackson would be at the forefront of the Ravens’ priorities for the remainder of the offseason. Well, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the plan was always for the two-time MVP to get a revised deal around this time.

Though Jackson became the highest-paid player in NFL history only two years ago, so many other quarterbacks have gotten new deals that he currently sits at 10th in the league in average annual value. Jackson and the team anticipated the inflating contract values when they formed his first extension, putting obscene cap hits starting in the third year of his contract to force both parties to return to the table. Jackson’s $43.5MM cap hit in 2025 in the fourth highest in the NFL this year. That cap hit jumps to $74.5MM in 2026 and 2027, giving him the third highest and highest cap hits in those respective years.

A return to the table would benefit both parties as a new contract would likely mean a raise for Jackson and some short-term cap savings for Baltimore. If Jackson once again becomes the highest-paid quarterback (per AAV) in the league, he will become the first player in NFL history to eclipse $60MM per year, and according to Rapoport, head coach John Harbaugh seemed to acknowledge at league meetings that Jackson could certainly be bound for that as of yet uncharted territory.

Rapoport predicts, too, that, paired with Bateman’s extension, the cap relief of a Jackson extension could help the team with another extension that’s likely on the docket for tight end Isaiah Likely.

Here are a few other rumors coming out of Charm City:

After an impressive sophomore campaign that earned him the honor of being the Ravens’ first Pro Bowl wide receiver in franchise history, Zay Flowers second season came to an early end with a knee sprain in the regular season finale. The injury held him out of the team’s two playoff contests but, luckily, didn’t require surgery. According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, Flowers’ knee is already 100 percent. “No limits,” the 24-year-old told the media. As Jackson’s favorite target in 2024, Flowers became just the 10th receiver or tight end in franchise history to catch for 1,000 yards in a single season. Back to full health, he’ll look to become just the second to do so in back-to-back seasons (Derrick Mason did so in three straight years from 2007-09). A big part of that will be Flowers’ ability to reconnect with Jackson, something he began doing as soon as he completed his rehabilitation. Aside from the regular offseason practices in Baltimore, Flowers and Jackson have been working together in private workouts in Florida.
Since getting drafted in the fourth-round of 2022, cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis has had a disappointing start to his career. It seems as if offseason rumors pump him up every summer just for injuries to curtail his success in the fall. In three years, he’s only played in 19 games, and with a deeper cornerbacks group in 2025, his path to playing time has grown even longer. According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, Armour-Davis could find time as a safety. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr is reportedly cross-training the 25-year-old, and he’s seen as one of the smartest defensive backs in the building. If this experiment fails to pay dividends, though, Armour-Davis’ continued struggles to make an impact could result in his getting waived.
After a torn ACL ended an impressive rookie campaign in 2023, running back Keaton Mitchell had to wait until Week 10 to debut in his sophomore season, at which point it was difficult to work him into the offense. The team did find some special teams use for him as a kickoff returner in 2024, though, and per Zrebiec, Mitchell wants to be the primary returner for the team this year, as well. Mitchell should still be able to find some time in the offense in 2025; Derrick Henry will be the primary ball carrier, while Justice Hill functions as a third-down, receiving back, but Mitchell’s incredible speed will continue to be an excellent complement to both rushers. With fewer playing opportunities available on offense, though, Mitchell will look to utilize that speed in the open field on kickoff returns.

Extension Talks Ongoing Between Ravens, Lamar Jackson

June 5th, 2025 at 9:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

In March, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said internal conversations have taken place about a Lamar Jackson extension. Talks on that front have also been had with the two-time MVP.

“We’ve had some conversations before the draft, after the draft, in person last week,” general manager Eric DeCosta said about Jackson during an appearance on the BMore Baseball Podcast (video link). “I think we’re in the introductory sort of stage of looking at what an extension might look like.”

Three years remain on Jackson’s contract. That five-year, $260MM pact contained $185MM in guarantees and plenty of locked-in compensation remains to be paid out. $21MM in base salary is guaranteed for the coming season, and another $29MM in base pay for 2026 vested in March.

Team and player could elect to wait until next offseason to work out a third contract, especially since that’d provide the front office an opportunity to navigate the QB’s increased cap hit. Assuming that deal comes to fruition, it will likely once again reset the quarterback market, something that Harbaugh has already alluded to.

Dak Prescott‘s extension with the Cowboys made him the highest-paid NFL player of all time from an annual standpoint, as the QB’s AAV comes in at $60MM. Patrick Mahomes‘ $450MM in total value still paces the position, while Josh Allen earned a position-leading $250MM in guaranteed money. It’s unlikely that Jackson will be able to top all of those categories; at the very least, he should see a significant (and potentially record-breaking) jump on the $52MM AAV he’s currently attached to.

Jackson had one of the most productive showings of his career during his age-27 season. He tossed a career-high 41 touchdowns vs. only four interceptions, and he topped 900 rushing yards for the first time since the 2020 campaign. Thanks to that showing, Jackson finished second in MVP voting.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

Ravens Discussing Lamar Jackson Extension, Eyeing Second Derrick Henry Contract

March 31st, 2025 at 9:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Lamar Jackson‘s 2023 Ravens extension helped set the market at the time, and as less accomplished quarterbacks have surpassed him in terms of average annual value, it has not been difficult to see the leverage even capable QB1s possess presently. Much more than merely a capable starter, Jackson has three seasons remaining on the deal he signed in April 2023.

That contract took the Ravens and Jackson more than two years to finalize, but it helped a few inferior quarterbacks receive higher AAVs. Jackson exited the 2024 season as the NFL’s ninth-highest-paid QB, and the Ravens saw the Bills take care of Josh Allen despite the reigning MVP’s previous deal running well into the late 2020s. It appears Baltimore is fine following suit.

Teams rarely add years to a player’s deal when three are remaining on it, but Jackson is certainly one of the NFL’s top players. It appears the Ravens are ready to update his contract, as head coach John Harbaugh confirmed internal conversations about a new deal have taken place this offseason (video link). Jackson, 28, still has guaranteed money remaining on his extension. Those guarantees stretch into 2026, but being proactive would benefit the Ravens.

As things stand, Jackson is due to carry a cap charge of $43.5MM next season, keeping in line with the incremental jumps it has seen since his deal was signed. For the 2026 and ’27 campaigns, however, he is scheduled to count for $74.5MM on the Ravens’ cap sheet. Lowering those totals – while, in all likelihood, creating immediate breathing room as well – could be achieved via another extension. Harbaugh did not provide specifics on a timeline, but added a deal will likely get done at some point this offseason.

Extension candidates on Baltimore’s roster include former first-rounders Odafe Oweh, Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum. Oweh’s 2025 fifth-year option was picked up last year, and it would come as no surprise if the team took the same route with Hamilton and Linderbaum. Extensions with one or more members of that tandem could very well be in store, and ascending tight end Isaiah Likely is also entering the final year of his rookie contract. Working out a third Jackson accord would help create cost certainty over the short-term future as Ravens aim to keep as many members of their young core in place as possible.

Harbaugh also said on Monday (via The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec) he would welcome a Derrick Henry extension. The All-Pro running back joined Baltimore on a two-year deal last offseason, and his debut campaign produced 2,114 scrimmage yards (the second-highest figure of his career) and 18 total touchdowns (which matched his personal high). An extension was raised as a possibility in the wake of the team’s divisional round loss, and Henry has since publicly stated his desire to finish his career in Baltimore.

The 31-year-old has already been paid out a $1MM roster bonus, and he is due a $6MM base salary for 2025. Henry’s scheduled cap charge of just under $12.9MM is more than double what it was last year, and it could be lowered by an extension. Baltimore entered Monday with nearly $12MM in cap space, but the team’s financial breathing space could increase in the relatively near future if new agreements on the Jackson and/or Henry fronts were to be reached.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Ravens Notes: Johnson, Santucci, Ricard, Rosengarten, Jackson

February 3rd, 2025 at 4:55pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Part of the Ravens’ calculus in acquiring Diontae Johnson at last year’s trade deadline (and reclaiming him off waivers after the regular season) was the potential to recoup a compensatory pick for him when he left in free agency.

However, Johnson’s lack of production and locker room issues in both Baltimore and Houston is expected to scuttle any chance of him getting a contract that would qualify for the compensatory formula. Instead, Johnson will likely sign a one-year deal for the veteran minimum that could earn him more money with incentives, per Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline.

His 51.0 yards per game in Carolina had him on pace for a sizable payday in free agency that would have likely netted his former team a compensatory pick, but his struggles with the Ravens and the Texans cratered his value. He only made three catches for 18 yards across five games and expressed frustration with his minimal role with both teams. As a consistent (albeit target-dependent) wideout over the course of his career, Johnson will likely have a chance to rebuild his value next season.

After moving on from inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone last week, the Ravens have tapped Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci as his replacement on Zach Orr‘s staff, per a team announcement. The 36-year-old Santucci was previously the defensive coordinator at Duke and received NFL interest in the past, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Ravens will be hoping that Santucci can develop 2023 third-rounder Trenton Simpson after his disappointing 2024 season.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said that the team hopes to re-sign All-Pro fullback Patrick Ricard, who is set to hit free agency in March, per The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec. Ricard has expressed his desire to stay in Baltimore, per Ravens team reporters Ryan Mink and Matt Ryan. “I want to stay here,” said Ricard after the Ravens’ season ended. “I want to be here. I want to retire here. We’ll see what happens when the time comes.” Ricard had a bigger role under Greg Roman compared to recently-extended Ravens OC Todd Monken, but still maintained a 39% snap share over the last two seasons as part of Baltimore’s league-best rushing offense. Few teams use a fullback at the same rate, so Ricard may not see a robust market if he enters free agency, further incentivizing a return to the Ravens.
Baltimore has just under $6MM in cap space entering the offseason, per OverTheCap, so they will need to create space to retain Ricard and other key free agents like Ronnie Stanley. The Ravens could look to restructure Lamar Jackson‘s deal, per Zrebiec, which could create up to $15.8MM in cap space. That would further backload Jackson’s deal, which is already set to have cap hits of $74.65MM in 2026 and 2027.
If the Ravens can’t re-sign Stanley, they may consider moving Roger Rosengarten to left tackle, according to Zrebiec. The 2024 second-round pick started most of his rookie year at right tackle. He played the same position at the University of Washington, where he was entrusted to protect left-handed Michael Penix‘s blindside.

Community Tailgate: NFL MVP Race

January 11th, 2025 at 10:49pm CST by Adam La Rose

The 2023 NFL season yielded a dearth of clear-cut MVP candidates, but that has not proven to be the case this year. Several players made a claim to receive consideration at various points in the campaign, and debate has continued through the conclusion of the season regarding which one will ultimately take home the award at NFL Honors.

As usual, quarterbacks have dominated the discussion. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley led the way for other positions in 2024, a year in which he became the NFL’s ninth ever 2,000-yard rusher. Especially given the team’s decision to rest him in Week 18 (which prevented him from being able to attempt breaking Eric Dickerson’s all-time record), though, it is extremely unlikely the run of QBs receiving the MVP nod will end this year.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ passing attack gave the team a chance to rally from 4-8 into the postseason, and a wild-card berth was still possible entering the final day of the regular season. Cincinnati fell short of the No. 7 seed, however, effectively ending Burrow’s chances of receiving votes at the top of the MVP ballot. The likes of Jared Goff (Lions) and Sam Darnold (Vikings) are likely to be popular names on the lower end of many MVP voters’ final five-player lists, but as far as most observers are considered the race for the award is down to two contenders.

Lamar Jackson has served as the Ravens’ full-time starter for six seasons. Twice in his previous five – including two of the past three where he has remained healthy through the full campaign – he has collected the Most Valuable Player award. That includes a unanimous nod in 2019 as well last year’s award, for which the only other first-place vote went to Josh Allen. Unsurprisingly, the Bills star once again finds himself as the other candidate to receive the honor this year.

Baltimore and Buffalo both saw several notable changes this past offseason, although continuity at a number of spots and with respect to the team’s offensive coordinators was also present. In the case of both division-winning teams, the play of their quarterbacks was the driving force of their overall success, and any number of angles can be taken when arguing in favor of Jackson or Allen. While the latter sat out the closing minutes of several blowouts this year and only logged one snap in Week 18, both passers offered a strong sample size for MVP evaluation.

Jackson and the Ravens needed a win in Week 18 to clinch the AFC North in part due to their 0-2 start to the year. At the end of the campaign in particular, though, the team’s offense showed signs of improvement with Jackson’s increased passing efficiency on full display. In all, the Louisville product finished with career highs in yards (4,172) and touchdowns (41) through the air coupled with four interceptions. No quarterback in league history has recorded more than 40 passing TDs while also managing fewer than five interceptions.

With those totals in mind, it comes as no surprise Jackson’s passer rating for the season (119.6) also checked in at a career high. That figure not only led the league, but it was the fourth-highest single-season total in NFL history. As usual, Jackson was also impactful in the run game; his 915 rushing yards topped the field amongst quarterbacks while his 6.6 yards per attempt average led the NFL. Shortly put, the raw statistics in most categories point toward a third MVP award.

Allen’s performance is highly impressive on many fronts as well, however. Transitioning to a new receiving corps in the offseason (and, in the case of Amari Cooper, midway through the campaign), he led the Bills to a comfortable AFC East title en route to the conference’s No. 2 seed. A pair of Buffalo’s 13 wins in particular understandably drew major attention around the league. The Bills are responsible for the Chiefs’ only regular season loss in which they played their full lineup as well as one of the Lions’ two defeats. Especially with the latter victory coming in Detroit, it helped Allen’s MVP case and highlighted his stellar campaign.

With 28 passing touchdowns and 12 rushing scores (second most in the league amongst QBs), Allen repeated an unprecedented feat in terms of prolific scoring through the air and on the ground in the same season. While ball security has been the source of criticism in past seasons, he committed only eight in 2024. The Wyoming product’s 14 sacks taken were also by far the fewest of his career. Coupling those numbers with individual moments like his fourth-and-2 touchdown run against Kansas City and the play in which he threw and caught the same TD pass against San Francisco make it easy to foresee Allen’s first MVP nod being a distinct possibility.

The Bills and Ravens met head-to-head in Week 4, with Baltimore earning a comfortable victory. Overall, Jackson’s numbers in games against playoff-caliber opponents outweigh Allen’s, although on the other hand the fact Buffalo finished with a superior record in what was viewed as a transitional year may balance the scales on that front. In any case, the 28-year-old draft classmates have each enjoyed the primes of their careers, and both signal-callers’ résumé’s have been significantly bolstered by the 2024 campaign.

There is precedent for the MVP award to be shared, as that has proven to be the case on two occasions (Brett Favre and Barry Sanders in 1997; Peyton Manning and Steve McNair in 2003). Unless that situation emerges again, though, voters will be met with a Jackson-or-Allen decision. Regarding AP first-team All-Pro nods, Jackson wound up with a 30-18 edge over Allen in terms of votes. That is generally an indication of how the MVP competition will shake out; indeed, as ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg notes, every quarterback named first-team All-Pro since 2013 has also taken home MVP honors.

With all ballots submitted and the countdown on until NFL Honors, how do you see the MVP race ending? Have your say in the comments below.

Lamar Jackson Involved In Ravens’ Draft Preparation

April 8th, 2024 at 10:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

Preparing for the draft following a free agent period in which several starters departed, the Ravens are in need of multiple rookies capable of providing an impact in 2024. The team’s front office and coaches are obviously central figures in the ongoing scouting process, but they are not alone in that regard.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson has provided head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta with his input on receiver and tight end prospects in the 2024 class, as detailed by ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. This marks the second straight offseason in which the reigning MVP has done so.

“He is looking at guys now,” Harbaugh said at the league meetings (via Hensley). “He and I agree on a few guys. We haven’t disagreed on anybody yet. We’re sharing our vision together.”

Specifically, Jackson – a native of Pompano Beach, Florida – has given his thoughts on local pass-catching prospects. In the case of last year’s draft, that meant supporting the selection of Zay Flowers in the first round. The latter (who grew up in Fort Lauderdale) enjoyed the most productive rookie season in franchise history with a 77-855-5 statline. South Florida Ravens connections at the position also date back to Marquise Brown, Baltimore’s top pick in 2019.

The Ravens own pick No. 30 in 2024. After losing three starters along the offensive line this offseason, a selection aimed at providing reinforcements up front would come as little surprise. Edge rush and cornerback have also been named as potential positional targets for the team’s top selection. Still, there will be a number of wideouts available late on Day 1, and Jackson’s thoughts on those from his backyard will be taken into account.

Other franchise passers, of course, have varying degrees of input in roster-making decisions around the NFL. In the case of the Ravens, Jackson is being given sway in the overall direction of the team’s offense. As such, it comes as little surprise his perspective on local pass-catching options will receive consideration. In need of at least a depth addition at the receiver spot, it will be interesting to see if Baltimore makes a move influenced in part by Jackson’s recommendations.

QB Rumors: Brady, 49ers, Purdy, Dalton, Eagles, Maye, Jones, Giants, Jackson, Ravens

February 28th, 2024 at 4:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kyle Shanahan confirmed Brock Purdy‘s account that provided one final Tom Brady–49ers connection. Shanahan alerted Purdy of his effort to lure Brady out of retirement during the younger QB’s rehab from UCL surgery. Brady passed, leading to the 49ers’ Sam Darnold signing.

“I actually thought it was giving Brock the biggest compliment,” Shanahan said, via NBC Sports’ Peter King. “I let him know he’s our guy long term. No question. And if Tom Brady wanted to come here and start for one year, that’s the only way you’re not starting when you’re healthy this year. That’s pretty cool. I wanted to assure him, ‘Don’t worry. You’re our guy. But how cool would it be if Tom Brady would be the quarterback here for one season? How cool would it be for you to learn from him?’

“I mean, if Brock never got hurt, this wouldn’t have been a consideration at all. I’d never have brought it up. But I’ve got to think about the team. What if he’s not ready in September?”

Brady’s re-retirement has stuck, with the 46-year-old legend not playing in 2023. The 49ers passed on making a serious pursuit of the Bay Area native in 2020, sticking with Jimmy Garoppolo. Brady was connected to the 49ers in 2022 as well, but when the Buccaneers would not trade his rights during retirement No. 1, he came back to Tampa. The seven-time Super Bowl winner is en route to becoming a Raiders minority owner and FOX’s No. 1 analyst. Purdy, who was back by training camp and showed last season his post-Garoppolo work as a rookie was no fluke, is signed through the 2025 season. The 49ers cannot give him an extension until after this year.

Here is the latest from the quarterback scene:

Drake Maye will join Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels in not throwing at the Combine, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson. Widely expected to be a top-five pick, Maye is only scheduled to meet with teams and go through physicals. A light Indianapolis schedule is mostly available only to surefire candidates to go off the board early, but such prospects are taking advantage of the limited participation option.
Not nearly on the level of the Brady-49ers what-if transaction, the Eagles made a strong pursuit for Andy Dalton during last year’s free agency, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Caplan notes. A signing was close here, per Caplan, but Philadelphia pivoted to Marcus Mariota after Dalton chose Carolina’s two-year, $10MM ($8MM guaranteed) offer. The Eagles added Mariota on a one-year, $5MM deal. Barring a Mariota re-signing, Philly will need to add a new backup quarterback soon.
Daniel Jones‘ rehab continues to unfold smoothly. Giants GM Joe Schoen expects his starter to be ready for training camp and indicated the sixth-year veteran has begun throwing. Jones is not yet dropping back and throwing, but not yet four months after his ACL tear, the longtime New York starter is progressing toward his goal of a training camp return. Schoen reiterated (via Giants.com’s Michael Eisen) at the Combine that Jones will be the Giants’ starter if healthy. The Giants are still expected to add a quarterback, though one of this offseason’s central storylines is whether that passer will be a first-round pick or merely a veteran backup for Jones. The Giants can get out of Jones’ contract with a modest dead-money sum in 2025.
Lamar Jackson did not sign his Ravens extension until draft day last year, stalling his start in new OC Todd Monken‘s system. That did not exactly slow the dual-threat superstar, who won his second MVP award. But the Ravens are giving Jackson more autonomy into the offense’s design this year, per John Harbaugh. The 17th-year Baltimore HC said conversations with Jackson about new offensive dimensions began soon after the team’s AFC championship game loss.

Raiders, Panthers Made Offseason Lamar Jackson Inquiries

January 1st, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The events of Week 17 significantly boosted Lamar Jackson‘s chances of winning his second career MVP award. The level of play the Ravens signal-caller has showcased in 2023 has led to a new round of questions regarding the apathy shown around the league with respect to acquiring him in the offseason.

The Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, a move which opened the door to offer sheets being at the disposal of teams interested in attempting to sign him (or at least make Baltimore’s efforts to do the same more difficult). Very quickly, however, several teams with question marks under center bowed out and Jackson eventually inked a five-year, $260MM deal.

While no teams are known to have submitted an offer sheet, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Raiders and Panthers both made inquiries into adding Jackson. Vegas faced the challenge of replacing Derek Carr in the offseason, while Carolina was one of several teams in position to add a new passer by means of the draft or another avenue. The former left open the possibility of a Jackson pursuit, though nothing materialized to a serious extent. The latter, meanwhile, was among the large contingent which backed out in lieu of focusing on the draft.

As Schefter notes, teams around the league expressed concern about Jackson’s injury history when considering an offer sheet. The 26-year-old missed the end of the 2021 and ’22 seasons due to knee ailments, something which would have needed to be considered when authorizing a monster contract upon arrival (and which would have included an independent medical evaluation with his new team). Adding the price of two first-round picks for Jackson signing an unmatched offer sheet, the fact he remained in Baltimore comes as little surprise.

Still, the Louisville alum’s play this year (and that of the Ravens as a whole) has proven the lack of desire on the part of QB-needy teams to be noteworthy. Vegas added a short-term Carr replacement in the form of Jimmy Garoppolo, though he struggled when on the field before losing his staring gig midway through the campaign. The Raiders are now evaluating fourth-round rookie Aidan O’Connell as a No. 1 option, though they can be expected to be in the market for an addition of some kind in the new league year.

The Panthers have likewise endured an underwhelming season under center. Looking to stop the cycle of stop-gap additions at the QB spot, the team acquired the top pick in the draft by sending the Bears a haul involving two first- and second-round selections as well as wideout D.J. Moore. Bryce Young‘s debut campaign has not gone according to plan, and his and the team’s offensive struggles led to the firing of head coach Frank Reich among other staffers.

Schefter notes that questions remain around the league with respect to why no serious efforts were made to pursue a Jackson offer sheet. Prevailing theories point to the Ravens simply matching any offers which were submitted, but it remains a talking point through the close of the campaign that Baltimore – the team which secured the AFC’s top seed on Sunday – was able to retain him with relative ease.

AFC North Notes: Burrow, Lamar, Ravens

October 8th, 2023 at 9:51pm CST by Ely Allen

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow took a big step towards a return to normalcy with a strong performance in today’s win over the Cardinals. Still, he is not back to 100 percent and, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, he’s likely still a few weeks away from that.

Cincinnati has been working with the understanding that Burrow’s calf injury is continually improving with time, as long as he doesn’t tweak it, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. They’re risking reinjury by continuing to put him on the field, but they aren’t hindering his recovery, and they likely feel his presence, even if not fully healthy, is more impactful than the QB2, Jake Browning‘s.

With one more game standing between them and a bye week, the Bengals will be counting on Burrow to avoid reaggravating his calf for one more week in order to get to a two-week rest that should really help him get back to full-strength.

Here are a few other rumors from around the AFC North, starting with another injured Bengal:

Cincinnati rookie return man Charlie Jones was placed on injured reserve a little over a week ago after sustaining a thumb injury. Jones underwent surgery a few days ago, per Jay Morrison of Pro Football Network, and expects to make a return as soon as he is eligible after the four-week period. This should put Jones back on the active roster in time for the team’s Week 9 matchup against the Bills.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has remained healthy through five weeks this season, but it sounds like Baltimore isn’t taking any chances. According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, head coach John Harbaugh reiterated that the team is committed to keeping three quarterbacks on their roster. With the injuries in recent years to Jackson, and subsequently to the backup quarterbacks, having multiple backup options has likely become a necessity.
Baltimore long snapper Nick Moore was set to play out a contract year in 2023 before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in offseason training. Since Moore will be spending the entire season on the team’s reserve/non-football injury list, the Ravens decided to sign him to a one-year extension, pushing his free agency until after the 2024 season.

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