Though Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens have stored particulars of their contract negotiations non-public, the star quarterback turned down what league sources consider was a proposal price about $250 million.
The Ravens additionally balked at Jackson’s want for a totally assured deal much like Deshaun Watson‘s, sources instructed ESPN, prompting the edges to desk contract talks till after the 2022 season.
Sources instructed ESPN the Ravens’ proposed contract was believed to pay Jackson the next common wage and extra assured cash than offers signed this summer time by Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
Wilson signed a $242.5 million deal earlier this month that averaged $48.5 million yearly and included $161 million assured, about six weeks after Murray obtained a $230.5 million deal that averaged $46 million per yr and included $189.5 million assured.
However the difficulty for Jackson wasn’t Wilson’s deal or Murray’s a lot because it was Watson’s, in keeping with sources. The Browns signed Watson to a totally assured $230 million contract, and Jackson needed to match it, sources mentioned.
Jackson acted as his personal agent within the negotiations whereas leaning on the assistance of his mom and the NFL Gamers Affiliation, whose job it’s to supply stats, info, steering and to be a sounding board, which it was throughout this course of.
When the Ravens balked at Jackson’s want for a full assure, the Ravens introduced Friday that the edges had been stopping contract talks and would resume them after this season.
Jackson, 25, will make $23.016 million in his fifth-year choice however has no assured cash after this season. The previous league MVP hopes to land an extension after this season with the Ravens, who’re anticipated to use their franchise tag on Jackson and forestall him from hitting true free company if the edges nonetheless are unable to achieve a deal.
Jackson is making the most important wager in soccer on himself, not not like the way in which former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco — who’s beginning towards Baltimore on Sunday for the Jets — as soon as did in 2012 season, when his deal was set to run out and he led Baltimore to a Tremendous Bowl title earlier than turning into one of many highest-paid gamers within the NFL.
Jackson, who has taken extra hits (737) than some other quarterback since 2018, was requested final week whether or not he feels it is a danger to play with no assured cash past this season.
“It was a reasonably large danger final season. The yr earlier than,” Jackson mentioned Wednesday. “I am simply taking part in soccer. Something can occur. God forbid the mistaken factor occurs.”
Jackson has proved to be one of many NFL’s high playmakers and winners over the previous 4 seasons. Since he turned the Ravens’ starter halfway by way of the 2018 season, Baltimore is 37-12 (.755) with him and 2-5 (.286) with out him. He was the unanimous NFL MVP in 2019.
However Jackson is coming off his most difficult season in 2021, when he threw a career-worst 13 interceptions and missed a career-high 5 video games, together with the final 4 due to an ankle harm.
