Would Ravens' Jackson Play on Non-Exclusive Tag? Unique Solution Offered to Get Deal Done
The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson are running out of time to get a long-term deal done. After the Ravens slapped the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, no offers have come from teams wanting his services.
So...
Could Jackson play under the non-exclusive franchise tag next season with only one year guaranteed for $32.4 million? Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio spoke on The Rich Eisen Show and offered a unique option for the Ravens to make Jackson "happy" playing under the tag for one season.
"We get to July 17, and the battlelines are Lamar has a $32.4 million franchise tender," Florio said.
"If he accepts it, he's under contract for one year. Well, is he going to play for $32.4 million? I wouldn't advise him to do that. I would advise him to say I want more than $32.4 million, and if I'm the Ravens, I would consider offering him a significant per-game roster bonus as an incentive to get him to play.
"If you offer him something ridiculous like $1 million a game, and he plays all 17 games, he pushes his pay for the year to $49.4 million. That may be the way to make him happy about his circumstance."
That is a left-field suggestion, and considering Lamar wants a long-term deal, playing on a one-year contract likely isn't that appealing to him.
But if Baltimore does as Florio suggests and offers a significant per-game bonus, could that persuade Jackson to sign the deal, even without a certified agent?
Possibly.
Or Jackson might sit out the season altogether, which is highly unlikely as $32.4 million is still a decent payday.
But if Jackson isn't happy with how things are panning out, Florio's solution to the problem might be worth exploring for the Ravens.
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