Will Ravens Bold Lamar Jackson Statement Backfire?
The Ravens took back control of their contract negotiations with Lamar Jackson by placing the $32.41 million non-exclusive franchise tag on the franchise quarterback.
Jackson now is allowed to negotiate with other teams, and the Ravens are ready to make that gamble.
Even if an opposing team makes an offer to Jackson, the Ravens have the right to match that proposed deal or they can obtain two first-round picks in return.
Several teams, including the Falcons, Panthers, Commanders, and Dolphins, reportedly will not pursue Jackson.
That had social media in an uproar, alleging collusion among the owners.
However, it’s also a big gamble giving Jackson his desired contract — purportedly about $250 million in guaranteed money.
He’s missed 11 games over the past two seasons with injuries. He has not had the same gaudy stats since winning the NFL MVP in 2019.
Granted, he doesn’t have a lot of talent surrounding him at wide receiver, but he also has to develop as a passer, mainly with his deep throws.
In addition, the Ravens are confident they can match an offer sheet by another team. This process also allows Jackson to gauge his true value on the market.
However, the situation is far from over and more controversy is likely to follow.
Jackson could hold out indefinitely, and this will be especially problematic because the Ravens have a new offensive coordinator, Todd Monken, installing new systems.
In addition, the franchise tag is negotiable and Jackson could demand the equivalent of the exclusive tag — about $45 million — to play in 2023.
As a result, things could get even more interesting in the coming weeks.
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