Lamar Jackson Contract: Ravens 'Best Offer' Already In?
In the words of the late Herb Brooks, have the Baltimore Ravens already given Lamar Jackson “their very best?”
With the March 7 deadline to apply the franchise tag rapidly approaching, the Ravens and Jackson apparently remain at an impasse in their contract negotiations.
To further complicate matters, one NFL insider has reported that Baltimore may have already played its best hand.
"As of right now, the Ravens have their best offer on the table," said Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. "The context to that is that it's still pending, getting more feedback from Lamar's side on their latest proposal."
Just days earlier, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta advised that talks between both sides are "ongoing," with both parties understanding the urgency of the situation. DeCosta expressed hope that the team and Jackson can get a deal done before the franchise tag deadline.
It should be noted that time still exists for additional communication. Still, the 2019 NFL MVP may be nearing the end of his tenure, despite assurances from both sides that their preference was to strike an accord.
As one might expect, the sticking point appears to be a financial one.
The Ravens have reportedly offered significantly less in monetary guarantees than that which Jackson desires, The reports further suggest that Jackson is looking for a contract in the region of $230 million, which would make him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL.
Baltimore could still opt to utilize either the exclusive or the non-exclusive tag on Jackson. However, the move comes with great risk. Each designation carries a hefty salary ($45 million for the exclusive tag, $32 million for the non-exclusive tag) with no guarantee that Jackson would sign the deal.
Having just completed the 2022 season on his fifth-year option, the 26-year-old may choose to hold out rather than sign a one-year deal — even if it is highly lucrative.
Though time may be running thin, both sides still have a great deal of work to do before reaching an agreement.
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