The Baltimore Ravens were unable to reach a contract extension with quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is not represented by an agent, putting the brakes on the most high-profile talks in the league until after the season. When Jackson throws a game-winning touchdown pass, the reaction will include how he increased his value and how the Ravens dropped the ball. Some will argue that Jackson should have signed a deal before the season so he wouldn't have to pay for it. "He doesn't really talk about it, so it hasn't really been a problem," Humphrey said. The Ravens want to become the latest team to go from last to first in the league. In the last 19 seasons, it has happened in 17 of them, including last year when the Cincinnati Bengal went from a four-win season to a Super Bowl victory. Baltimore wants Jackson signed long-term once the season is over. Questions exist in the meantime. The Ravens and Jackson have been working on a compromise for the last 20 months, but they are not there yet. The deadline for using the franchise tag is March 7. If the sides can't reach a deal by then, the Ravens would have to use the tag on a quarterback for the first time in 27 years to keep Jackson from becoming an unrestricted free agent. If he plays under the exclusive franchise tag, Jackson would make over forty million dollars in the next ten years. Our experts answer questions and give fantasy tips. The team previews are not final. Who will inherit the throne? We're working on a project.
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• NFL execs pick postseason award winners »Will Jackson get the franchise tag next year?
It is rare for a franchise quarterback to be in this area. Only two people have been given the tag in the last 10 years, and both of them were with Washington. The Minnesota Vikings signed a landmark deal with quarterback Kirk Cousins after he hit the free agent market.
Baltimore has time to not place the tag on Jackson. Jackson declined the Ravens' offer on a contract extension entering his fifth year. A record-setting deal was signed by the team 25 days after they won the Super Bowl.
The Ravens have contractual control over Jackson for the next two seasons if they can't reach a deal with him by March.
Jackson said it was a big risk last season and that anything can happen. He said that the wrong thing should not happen.
He missed the last 11 games of the season in 2020 due to an ankle injury. He was given a four-year contract by the Cowboys.
Jackson's style of play involves breaking long runs and eluding pass-rushers. After he injured his right knee at the end of his first season as a quarterback, RobertGriffin III was never the same.
Jackson has been in the league for four years and has taken a high number of hits. At the end of last season, Jackson missed four games with an ankle injury after dropping back and throwing a pass.
Since Jackson was eligible for an extension, five quarterbacks have signed for at least $150 million in guarantees. Under his fifth-year option, Jackson will make $23.016 million this season.
Jackson has been successful with waiting. Since he became eligible for an extension last year, five quarterbacks have signed deals that have exceeded $150 million in guaranteed money, and the top average per year for quarterbacks has gone from $45 million to $50.3 million.
If Jackson isn't signed before the season, the top quarterback value is going to escalate even more.
The Ravens have not offered Jackson $250 million guaranteed. At the time, Deshaun was facing 22 lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions.
Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson, the last two franchise quarterbacks to sign contract extensions, both landed significantly less guaranteed money, which adds to Baltimore's argument. Both Wilson and Murray received large sums of money.
The Ravens aren't going to reset the quarterback market by not reaching a long-term deal with Jackson right away. The 2020 first round picks are eligible for extensions.
The Cincinnati and San Diego teams are known for being conservative. The Chargers are fifth in cash spending this year and have signed their last two franchise quarterbacks. It wouldn't be a surprise if they signed long-term deals by the end of the year. Will either one surpass the other in guaranteed money?
If the Ravens didn't think there was a chance of a long-term deal, they wouldn't consider dealing Jackson. I don't think Baltimore would allow Jackson to go the Cousins route and be content with getting a third-round pick in exchange for him.
The Broncos traded two first-round picks and two second-round picks to Seattle in order to get Russell Wilson. Imagine what the Ravens would get for Jackson.
Tyler Huntley, one of the Ravens' top backups, nearly led Baltimore to upsets over the Rams and Packers in the playoffs. The Ravens have to make a decision on Huntley because he's a restricted free agent.
It would be the first time in history that Jackson would be traded. None of the quarterbacks under the age of 30 were dealt when there were nine trades involving them.
Ravens officials and Jackson believe a deal will be reached.
Friday's news meant that optimism is on hold.