Before the Baltimore Ravens can even consider making plans on how to improve their team this offseason, they need to reach a conclusion on Lamar Jackson’s contract status. The 2019 NFL MVP has just played out the final year of his rookie contract and will soon be free to sign with any team he chooses.
But that’s if the Ravens let Jackson get that far. Baltimore still has the franchise tag at their disposal, which, if placed on the quarterback, will require Jackson to either sign the one-year tender with the Ravens, reach a long-term extension, hold out until an agreement can be reached, or be traded to a new team.
Obviously, the Ravens would prefer to keep their superstar on the roster, but as you may imagine, a double-digit number of teams would likely also love to add a game-breaking talent to their core as well.
As negotiations rage on, we’ve heard from CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, who passes along word that the Ravens are “hopeful” they can reach a long-term extension with Jackson before Tuesday’s franchise tag deadline passes, yet an agreement is “not close.”
Anderson goes on to add that for now, the Ravens have their “best offer on the table,” but they’re waiting for more feedback from Jackson’s camp. Jackson is believed to be seeking a fully-guaranteed contract, much like Deshaun Watson received from the Cleveland Browns last offseason, but there’s been no official statement on that front from the QB himself.
With negotiations still seemingly up in the air, Anderson notes “several teams” have inquired about Jackson’s situation in Baltimore. Perhaps if the Ravens balk at Jackson’s cost, other teams will be fully prepared to back up the Brinks truck instead, knowing they’ll be adding one of the most electrifying weapons the NFL has ever seen.
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