There’s been a ton of hypothesis on if the Ravens will re-sign quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Last week following their wild card playoff loss to the Bengals, Ravens coach John Harbaugh tried to finish all rumors of Jackson presumably shifting on at his end-of-season press convention.
“100 percent, 200 percent,” Harbaugh stated. “There’s no query about it. Lamar Jackson is our quarterback; he’s been our quarterback.
“Everything we’ve achieved when it comes to constructing our offense and constructing our group, how we predict when it comes to [bringing in] individuals and placing individuals round him is predicated on this unbelievable younger man, his expertise, his potential and his competitiveness. He and I have been speaking at this time too, and the factor about Lamar that to me stands out — he’s an unbelievable competitor. Lamar Jackson, all he needs to do is win at every little thing he does.
“Yes, he has a lot of talent, he’s a very bright guy, he has a big heart, but he’s just a massive competitor. That’s the kind of guys we want to build this team around; guys that love football and guys that love to compete.”
The door hasn’t fully closed on the Jets buying Jackson, however it’s a sophisticated state of affairs as they should see if the Ravens will apply the franchise tag on him previous to the March 7 deadline.
Entering the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract, the Ravens tried to barter a brand new long-term take care of Jackson earlier than the start of the 2022 season. However, they couldn’t come to an settlement earlier than Jackson’s self-imposed deadline earlier than the beginning of the common season. Reportedly, Jackson turned down a $250 million contract as a result of he was in search of a totally assured deal much like the one Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson acquired final 12 months.
Now it’s unlikely the Ravens would simply let Jackson stroll regardless of the obvious damage emotions between the 2 sides. Jackson missed 18 consecutive practices to finish the 12 months after struggling a knee harm in early December, an harm that was initially thought to maintain him out a couple of weeks.
If Baltimore doesn’t signal Jackson to a long-term deal, the group might place the franchise tag on him till March 7, every week earlier than the beginning of free company (March 15). The Ravens have two completely different franchise tags they might placed on Jackson, the unique franchise tag and the non-exclusive tag.
The two most important variations between an unique and non-exclusive franchise tag are the incorporation of wage versus cap hit and who holds negotiating energy.
An unique tag provides the Ravens sole negotiating rights. Should Jackson reject the Ravens’ provide, he can not signal with one other NFL group for all the 2023 season.
However, for non-exclusive tags, Jackson can have the choice to barter with different groups. If he receives a suggestion, the Ravens can have a chance to match. If Baltimore opts to not match the provide, the group is entitled to obtain two first-round draft picks in alternate for Jackson.
General supervisor Eric DeCosta didn’t precisely shoot down the thought when requested if the Ravens would contemplate a commerce provide for Jackson in the event that they couldn’t agree on phrases.
“That’s something that we’re not going to talk about at this point,” DeCosta stated. “I talked to Lamar [Jackson] at this time, as I stated, and our focus proper now’s actually to get a long-term deal achieved, that’s our singular focus at this level.
“It’s going to take some time, it’s going to take some effort, it’s going to take great communication — give and take — but I’m confident that we’ll be on the right path to get that done.”
Jets proprietor Woody Johnson stated he can be prepared to do no matter it takes to amass a veteran quarterback this offseason. Why not go for it and do what it takes to deliver Jackson to Gotham?
At simply 26 years outdated, Jackson is already probably the most dynamic gamers within the NFL. He is a former MVP, a two-time Pro Bowler and a former first-team All-Pro.
Many know Jackson for his particular operating skills, however he led the league in landing passes in 2019 (36) and was third in passing score (113.3). Not solely has Jackson put up enormous numbers, however he has additionally been the engine for the Ravens’ offense for the final 5 seasons.
Baltimore made the playoffs 4 out of the 5 seasons Jackson has been with the group. He has additionally led them to a 45-16 report throughout that point. Meanwhile, the Jets have a 24-58 throughout that very same span.
In 2022, the Jets’ protection completed fourth in yards allowed (311.1) and factors allowed (18.6). With Jackson, together with Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson offensively, the Jets might compete with the Bills within the AFC East for years to come back.
Injuries are the one major concern for Jackson, as he has missed 10 video games within the final two years. In 2021, an ankle harm derailed the Ravens’ season as Jackson missed the remainder of the season and the group missed the playoffs. This season, the Ravens went from presumably profitable the AFC North to a wild card group and dropping within the first spherical after Jackson’s season-ending PCL harm.
Because he didn’t return late within the season when the Ravens wanted him, Jackson’s toughness has been questioned. Baltimore was 2-3 over the past 5 weeks of the common season with out Jackson and averaged simply 12.5 factors per recreation. Because of his contract state of affairs, it’s exhausting accountable Jackson for safeguarding his well being for the longer term.
Jackson’s relationship with the Ravens is fractured ultimately as free company looms. The Jets have been in search of a real franchise quarterback for the reason that days of Joe Namath. If the Ravens make Jackson accessible by means of commerce, the Jets must get their man, as two first-round picks is a small value to pay for a participant who can have you contending within the AFC for the following 12-15 years.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com