Sources believe Lamar Jackson turned down Baltimore Ravens' contract offer worth about $250 million

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Although Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens have kept details of their contract negotiations private, league sources think the star quarterback turned down an offer worth about $250 million.

The sides tabled contract talks until after the 2022 season after the Ravens objected to Jackson's desire for a guaranteed deal.

According to sources, the Ravens' proposed contract paid Jackson a higher average salary and more guaranteed money than deals signed by Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray.

Wilson signed a $245 million deal earlier this month that averaged $48.6 million annually and included $161 million guaranteed, six weeks after Murray signed a $230.5 million deal that averaged $46 million per year.

According to sources, the issue for Jackson was not Wilson's deal or Murray's deal, but his deal in general.

Jackson acted as his own agent in the negotiations while leaning on the help of his mother and the NFL Players Association, whose job it is to offer statistics, information, guidance and to be a sounding board.

The sides stopped contract talks after the Ravens refused to give Jackson a full guarantee.

Jackson will make $23.016 million in his fifth year, but he won't get a guaranteed amount after this season. The Ravens are expected to apply their franchise tag on Jackson in order to prevent him from hitting free agency if they can't reach a deal with him.

Jackson is making the biggest bet in football on himself, like Joe Flacco did in 2012 when his deal was set to expire and he led Baltimore to a Super Bowl title before becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

Last week, Jackson was asked if he felt it was a risk to play with no guaranteed money beyond this season.

Last season it was a big risk. Jackson mentioned the year before. I'm not really playing a game. There can be anything that happens. The wrong thing could happen.

Over the past four seasons, Jackson has proven to be one of the best players in the league. Baltimore is 37-12 with him and 0-7 without him since he became the starter. He was the Most Valuable Player in the National Football League.