Another hurdle was just added to the contract negotiations between the Baltimore Ravens and star quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Philadelphia Eagles and their quarterback, Jalen Hurts, worked out a contract extension of five years and $255 million, which is the largest in NFL history.
Hurts now takes over the No. 1 spot in the AAV rankings with $51 million. His contract includes $179.304 million in guarantees, which puts him second in that regard behind only Deshaun Watson. Watson’s mark of $230 million is reportedly what Jackson is aiming to surpass, as he will almost certainly not take anything less than what Hurts just received from the Eagles.
While Jackson has requested a trade from the Ravens and seems ready to move on from Baltimore, the team is not giving up hope. If they want to remain a contender in the AFC, they will find a way to retain the former MVP.
Signing wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was a step in the right direction. Desperate for weapons, Beckham, even with the injury concerns, is a huge upgrade at the position. That was reportedly a signing Jackson was pushing for the team to make before returning to the negotiating table.
In addition to that move, the Ravens have also made another offer to Jackson. According to Ian Rapoport, while making an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Baltimore made an offer that included $200 million guaranteed. The $133 million guaranteed number that was floating around was for a shorter-term contract.
The Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson earlier this offseason but he has yet to sign a contract. That tag means that Jackson is free to negotiate with other teams, but should anyone sign him to an offer sheet, the Ravens would have the right to match the contract.
If they opt not to match, the team signing Jackson would have to send two first-round picks to Baltimore. Given how much other teams have surrendered in trades for quarterbacks, that wouldn’t be a bad deal for the team acquiring Jackson. But, for now, his market remains ice cold.
