Lamar Jackson has turned down a five-year, $250 million ($133 million guaranteed) offer from the Ravens. Jackson’s future with the Baltimore Ravens has reached a very uncertain stage, partly due to Lamar being injury prone. The other primary thread to the two parties not being in consensus would be the salary negotiations.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson injured his knee during Week 11, but optimism from the coaches of his possible return acted as a glimmer of hope. With contract negotiations up in the air, Lamar’s injury just catalyzed the chaos within the organization.
In the meantime, Cleveland Browns offered a 5 year, $230 million contract to Deshaun Watson, including a $44,965,000 signing bonus, $230,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $46,000,000.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Such a hefty contract has somehow messed with every other team trying to retain or acquire QBs, and the Ravens found them in a similar boat.
The Counteroffer
As per a report by ESPN, every single counteroffer by Jackson has been for a fully guaranteed contract higher than that of the one Watson received from the Browns.
Lamar Jackson has sent counteroffers to the Ravens that "all exceeded the full guarantees" given to Deshaun Watson. @JFowlerESPN and @jamisonhensley take you inside the Jackson-Ravens standoff: https://t.co/0IFT7OcPtE pic.twitter.com/al0NGWmJgi
— ESPN (@espn) February 23, 2023
A high-ranking NFL executive shared his opinion on the matter, “Just because the Browns were desperate doesn’t mean that the Ravens are, They are a stable franchise. They aren’t about to jump at something just because Cleveland did it.”
Co-host of Raven’s vault and former editor, Sarah Ellison shed some light on the matter, “Lamar Jackson’s counteroffers to the Ravens have frequently been speculated, but this is the first report I’m aware of that clearly states he countered for more fully guaranteed money than Deshaun Watson.”
A number of Twitter users called in on the situation, giving their opinion.
Many fans felt that the players were taking these contracts to the extreme, “caring only about the bags”.
Some of these players need to adjust their mindsets. They're chasing the bag too much. It's one thing to want to make that money but if you're putting the money over career success your clearly more focused on the money and not winning. Not really a good look.
— Matthew (@matthmathis) February 23, 2023
While a few others felt that the $133 M guaranteed was the best deal for Lamar, especially given his injury-prone status
Ain’t no way I’m turning down $133M guaranteed and i’m injury prone
— Key Montana (@KeyMontana_) February 24, 2023
The only good part of the Cleveland deal with deshaun is that it’ll force all of the division competition to pay their qbs the same way, and if they don’t they’re gone🤣
— Piggy Bets (@Piggy_Bets) February 23, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Watson deal has somehow forced the hand of all franchises to follow the same pattern, and other competing QBs will expect the same. Deshaun Watson’s deal has somehow managed to set the league on an unsustainable path, and capital might emerge as the major issue for most teams.
A race against time
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
With the clock ticking, the Ravens’ top brass need to set aside this debacle they have found themselves in. If push comes to shove, then the Ravens might end up losing a talent as special as Jackson to some other team who are willing to compensate him within his expectations. The most pragmatic way to do this is to franchise Lamar and let him explore trade opportunities with a fixed price for him along the lines of the Watson trade. If he can strike a deal before the draft, it might just be the best option for both sides.
Watch This Story: “(Jackson) does more than Rodgers”: Former Super Bowl MVP and NFL legend believes Lamar Jackson is more valuable than Aaron Rodgers
