Lamar Jackson Breaks Ravens Silence as NFL Free Agency Opens

Lamar Jackson isn't saying much. But as the NFL's "legal tampering'' free agency window opens (Monday at noon E.T), a two-word remark on social media that marks his "breaking of silence'' during failed contract negotiations with the Baltimore Ravens does say plenty.

"Great company," Jackson said.

When the Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson last week, they stirred up a hornet's nest of national NFL opinions, many of which suggested that Baltimore is "screwing'' Jackson with an unfair contract that will guarantee him $32 million in 2023 - far less than other star (and non-star) QBs are getting.

As it stands, the Ravens can either match any offer Jackson gets from another team or gain two first-round picks should they free the former MVP sign elsewhere. There is speculation that "collusion'' is already in play here as multiple teams have rather oddly leaked information indicating disinterest in pursuing the former NFL MVP and Ravens best player.

Jackson has kept quiet throughout the process, which has reportedly included an offer from the team in excess of $40 million APY ... but obviously not one matching Deshaun Watson's fully guaranteed $230 million deal in Cleveland - a contract that from the very start rankled Ravens ownership.

“Damn, I wish they hadn’t guaranteed the whole contract,” Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said last March. “I don’t know that he should’ve been the first guy to get a fully guaranteed contract. To me, that’s something that is groundbreaking, and it’ll make negotiations harder with others.”

And here we are.

So what's Jackson's "good company' remark about?

He quote-tweeted a post that cited him as one of only five quarterbacks with a "96+ passer rating and 100+ pass TD in their first 61 starts."

The others are Patrick Mahomes, Dan Marino, Aaron Rodgers and ... interestingly ... Deshaun Watson.

And with that? Let the "legal tampering'' games begin.

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