When will Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson cash in? – Baltimore Ravens Blog

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott landed his report setting 4 yr, $160 million deal in early March, the following quarterback up for a blockbuster extension grew to become the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson.

Coming into his fourth NFL season, Jackson is eligible for a brand new contract for the primary time and has earned a elevate from this yr’s $1.771 million base wage, which ranks twenty fourth amongst all quarterbacks.

Jackson is definitely the sport’s most electrical participant with the ball in his hand, a spotlight ready to occur each time he sprints within the open discipline. He has strides to make as a passer and within the postseason, however nobody can dispute he is gained extra video games (30) than every other quarterback since taking on because the Baltimore Ravens‘ starter halfway by way of the 2018 and has spearheaded the best scoring offense within the league over the previous two seasons.

Identical to Jackson’s skillset, the Ravens’ negotiations with the previous NFL MVP are shaping to turn into equally distinctive. His working fashion and lack of an agent signify new territory within the quarterback contract panorama.

Final month, Ravens normal supervisor Eric DeCosta mentioned he had one-on-one conversations with Jackson in regards to the framework of a long-term deal however indicated formal negotiations have but to start. Ravens coach John Harbaugh lately mentioned he’s “completely sure” Jackson’s extension will occur this yr or subsequent.

To handle the entire points associated to Jackson’s looming extension, NFL Community analyst Kurt Warner (a former league MVP), CBS Sports activities analyst Joel Corry (a former sports activities agent) and ESPN NFL entrance workplace insider Mike Tannenbaum (a former NFL normal supervisor) tackled the incessantly requested questions:

Ought to the Ravens have considerations about giving a possible report signing bonus to a quarterback who runs greater than anybody else in NFL historical past?

Warner: The preliminary response is at all times going to be sure. Any time anyone places themselves in hurt’s far more than anyone else, there’s going to be extra dangers concerned with signing that man. The opposite half that I’ll say although is Lamar is so distinctive and so completely different that you could’t simply say, ‘Oh, he’s one other working quarterback.’ As a result of that’s not who Lamar is. Lamar is a difference-maker. He’s completely different when he runs and he avoids so many hits. However does he get hit greater than most quarterbacks? Yeah, he certain does. He places himself in these spots due to what they do offensively. You’re in all probability not going to present Lamar Jackson a 10-year contract like Patrick Mahomes since you don’t know what the damage and tear is.

Corry: As a lot as I’d need the fee certainty of a long-term deal Patrick Mahomes signed, I might be reluctant to go that route with Lamar simply because we’ve seen over time that working quarterbacks don’t final in the event that they proceed to run, significantly on the fee Lamar has. What I count on to have occur with Lamar is he’s going to progress as a passer. As he will get in his late-20s, he’s not going to be working almost as a lot as he used to and it’s going to be extra of a standard deal. It will likely be just like the four-year extensions that Jared Goff, Carson Wentz and Deshaun Watson signed.

Tannebaum: Effectively, it’s downside to have as a result of he’s a dynamic participant. There definitely can be plenty of groups that want to have that downside. The ball’s going to be in his palms much more than others, so you’re a little involved. On the opposite aspect of it, one factor he does job of is he’s actually good at making folks miss. When you consider the historical past of the sport — Tony Dorsett, Curtis Martin, these form of runners — they’ve sustainability as a result of they don’t get hit and take the large shot.

Ought to Jackson look ahead to Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield to signal their extensions (so he can prime theirs) or does that matter?

Warner: To me, so long as I’m paid in that class and if I wish to be a Raven, then I signal the deal each time they bring about the deal to me. I don’t fear about ‘Do I find yourself making $1 million extra per yr than Baker or Josh Allen?’ That to me doesn’t think about. All of those guys are going to be paid so effectively they’re by no means going to have to fret about something of their lives once more. Realizing Lamar, he’s such a humble man, I believe he’s going to be ‘I wish to play my entire profession with the Ravens.’ You’re giving me a prime notch deal and I’m taking it and we’re going to play. I additionally consider that, if you wish to win, typically you are taking a bit of bit much less so long as you’re nonetheless within the class that you just wish to be in, and also you say, “Hey, give me some extra items round me, and let’s go win some championships.”

Corry: There’s a singular dynamic in Lamar’s case, which doesn’t exist with every other quarterback that he doesn’t have a standard agent. We’ve seen with guys have gotten offers accomplished at a excessive stage with out an agent and utilizing advisors, they usually’ve accomplished very effectively. However we’ve by no means had a deal which might be of this magnitude with out an agent. So I don’t know whether or not that will drive Lamar to err on the aspect of warning and attempt to look ahead to Josh Allen. However usually, you could have some brokers who take the place that I’m gonna let this man solidify {the marketplace} much more and attempt to leapfrog him. And different [agents] determine if I can get the deal I would like, I am going from there. I actually don’t know which method Lamar would go due to the unknown variable. I’m curious to see how that half performs out.

Tannebaum: If I’m him, I’m considerably serious about these guys. But it surely’s completely different due to the place he was picked [the last pick in the first round]. He doesn’t have really transformational life-changing cash [Jackson’s rookie deal was four years, $9.5 million]. Do you wish to wait one other six weeks and possibly get a bit of bit 2% or 3% extra? Everybody’s going to be completely different, however I believe the place he was picked would lead me to assume that these offers aren’t as related or impactful as getting his deal accomplished.

How a lot of a hurdle is Jackson lack of an agent current for him and the Ravens?

Warner: I by no means explored that world [without an agent]. I by no means needed to get into that world. I by no means needed to be the man that was in that room. What you understand is organizations, as a lot as they love you, they’re going to attempt to discover these little holes that say, “You don’t do that as effectively otherwise you don’t try this as effectively.” You could have to have the ability to perceive it’s negotiations and no love misplaced once you come out of that room. That’s a tough factor to do. We pay 3% and say, ‘Please, you care for all of that junk.’ My perspective was ‘I’m going to make the cash and you may have 3% as a result of I would like you to take care of this and I don’t even wish to hear these issues.’

Corry: It’s not just like the rookie deal, which is slotted the place you would have gotten the identical deal as Tom Condon, Todd France or Drew Rosenhaus. This can be a entire completely different dynamic, so it doubtlessly may arrange for the Ravens with the ability to make the most of the scenario. We noticed Ronnie Stanley who had Roc Nation representing him. That deal got here in beneath what I believed it might. Laremy Tunsil, who coincidentally didn’t have an agent however had advisors, re-set the deal with market at $22 million per yr. I believed Stanley would at the least be over $20 million however he got here in beneath $20 million per yr and you then noticed David Bakhtiari leapfrog each of them. So the Ravens drove a tough discount with an agent. With out an agent or an advisor, they might get a deal which is actually advantageous doubtlessly.

Tannebaum: Usually talking, I didn’t like coping with a participant as a result of candidly, nothing good got here out of it. I prefer it from Lamar as a result of he’s such an genuine individual that it form of matches him. But when I’m the Ravens, who’s he coping with? Is it a lawyer? Is it a member of the family? So that could be a very bizarre and fascinating dynamic. Brokers play a significant function. You need that buffer. You simply don’t need issues to be taken out of context.

The place does Jackson’s contract in the end fall? Will it get near Mahomes’ NFL-record $45 million per season? Or will it drop nearer to Watson ($39 million per yr) or Prescott ($40 million)?

Warner: This enterprise is so loopy. Generally it simply turns into the following man up will get probably the most cash. Patrick Mahomes is the very best quarterback in our enterprise, and Patrick deserves to be the best paid quarterback. Does that imply that may at all times be the case? No. I believe Lamar ought to in all probability slide in proper by DeShaun, however not the place Patrick is. However we’ve seen quite a few occasions the place the best paid man will not be almost the very best participant within the league on the place. So I don’t attempt to gauge these issues.

Corry: I don’t assume Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson are surpassing Patrick Mahomes. The 2 most related information factors for each these guys are DeShaun Watson and Dak Prescott. I believe the deal’s going to be in that vary. Perhaps they go a bit of above Dak Prescott. However the one factor I might have an interest to see what occurs with Lamar is these [other quarterbacks] have been giving up 4 extra years. The Ravens have been wanting greater than 4 new years. They obtained 5 new years with Ronnie Stanley, so I wouldn’t be stunned in the event that they tried to get 5 new years with Lamar. Personally, if I’m Lamar, I wish to attempt to go three [years], since we now know the TV cash is solidified and hopefully the cap’s going to begin going up.

Tannebaum: I might say round $40 million might be the vary. There might be definitely extra by way of the place the ensures are, how the cash turns into assured, and once more, we had been speaking earlier about Lamar not having an agent. The Ravens aren’t going to be unfair, however they’re additionally going to be dealing with what’s necessary to them. … It’s a must to select fastidiously who you’re going to pay and why. He’s anyone you’re fortunate to have and also you’ve obtained to maintain him and understand ‘Hey, we will’t maintain Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue and that’s OK. why? As a result of they’re replaceable and Lamar isn’t.’