The Baltimore Ravens signed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in an effort to help entice quarterback Lamar Jackson to remain committed to the franchise. While adding the former Pro Bowl wideout might’ve helped, there reportedly remains a chance Jackson won’t play in 2023.
Jackson, locked in a stalemate with Baltimore on a contract extension, requested a trade in March. The former NFL MVP wasn’t happy with the contract offers proposed by Baltimore, leading to his desire to play for another NFL franchise.
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Facing uncertainty with Jackson, the Ravens have scouted the 2023 quarterback class and are open to drafting one in the first round. However, Baltimore’s focus remains on trying to retain Jackson whether it’s through a contract extension or the non-exclusive franchise tag he received.
- Lamar Jackson stats (career): 45-16 record, 101-38 TD-INT, 96.7 passer rating, 7.4 ypa, 4,437 rushing yards, 24 rushing touchdowns, 267 rushing first downs
By not signing the franchise tag, the 26-year-old quarterback can skip offseason workouts and training camp because he isn’t under contract. While there are no immediate concerns in Baltimore regarding his immediate availability, there is reportedly a chance that he could sit out regular-season games.
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Appearing on SportsCenter, ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said that Jackson might not play for the Ravens on the franchise tag.
“There still remains a huge gulf in guaranteed money on the contract. I’m told Lamar Jackson has great resolve in his contractual situation. He’s not just going to take any old deal. He wants what he wants. And there’s still no certainty, as of right now, he’d play on the franchise tag.”
Jeremy Fowler on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson
Baltimore used the non-exclusive quarterback tag on Jackson, worth $32.4 million fully guaranteed for the 2023 season. The tag was specifically used so the 2019 NFL MVP could talk to other teams, seeing if any other front office would be willing to sign him to one of the largest contracts in NFL history.
While the move allowed the Ravens to demonstrate to Jackson that there isn’t a market for him at his current asking price, it has a downside. The $32.4 million salary is the 12th-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, behind the likes of Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins and Daniel Jones.
It’s a below-market salary for one of the best quarterbacks in football, especially considering Jackson’s importance to the Ravens’ offense. If Baltimore had applied the exclusive franchise tag, preventing Jackson from becoming a free agent, it would’ve been worth $45 million this year.
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Jackson has the option of sitting out the entire 2023 NFL season, but he wouldn’t be paid and he couldn’t sign with another NFL team. As a result, his contract would toll and the Ravens could tag him for the same amount next year.
The Ravens will continue to try and find a resolution with Jackson, but the threat of the All-Pro quarterback sitting out the entirety of the 2023 season or not reporting until Week 10 and then playing, remain in play.
