One of the biggest storylines this offseason in the NFL is the future of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson is set to hit free agency as he and the team were unable to come to a contract agreement last year and talks ended once the regular season began.
Baltimore has the ability to place the franchise tag on Jackson, but they should work as hard as they can to lock him into a long-term deal. The uncertainty surrounding his situation is making it difficult to bring other players to the team, cornerback Marlon Humphrey revealed.
All anyone asked him when he attempted to recruit was if Jackson was going to sign with the Ravens. It wasn’t an answer that Humphrey, or anyone for that matter, has. Jackson knows what he is worth and every time he has missed games and the Ravens’ offense has tanked as a result goes to show how much they need him.
His teammates want to see him get paid this offseason as they know it is the best chance that they have to win. Tight end Mark Andrews recently offered his thoughts on Jackson’s future. He believes that his future is in Baltimore with the Ravens.
“I think Lamar is a Raven for life… I will give him my paycheck if I have to.”
That just goes to show how much Jackson has endeared himself to his teammates in Baltimore. While not a realistic option, it is the thought that counts as Andrews is willing to do whatever it takes to get Jackson to commit to staying with the team. Most likely, he is far from the only one that feels that way.
Jackson has a chance to reset the quarterback market given how valuable he is to the Ravens and how much he produces on the field. While not everyone’s prototypical quarterback, there is no denying just how dynamic and explosive of a playmaker he is with the ball in his hands.
In the right situation, a team can consistently win with him under center. Baltimore is likely that perfect situation.
