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Among the many NFL quarterbacks who will quickly be eligible for a contract extension, Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens is well essentially the most intriguing determine. If he will get an extension, it may method Patrick Mahomes cash. But, there are sufficient uncertainties about Lamar to warrant a wait-and-see method to this case.
It’s not an absolute lock that the Ravens will give Jackson a mammoth extension. It’s possible, however there’s a bigger context which must be sorted by means of. The 2021 season looms giant on this dialogue, and we’ll get to that shortly.
First, although, let’s current the scenario because it stands at this time, helpfully laid out by ESPN’s Dan Graziano, who explains that Lamar (Ravens), Josh Allen (Payments) and Baker Mayfield (Browns) are nonetheless with the groups which drafted them:
Having performed three years, they’re now eligible for extensions. Their groups don’t have to increase them; all three had their fifth-year choices picked up, so the groups (Ravens, Payments, Browns) have management of them by means of 2023 and will franchise them in 2024, 2025 and 2026 if want be. However latest historical past (Carson Wentz and Jared Goff in 2019, Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson final 12 months) exhibits groups extending their star quarterbacks on the first alternative, and it might be shocking if these three didn’t comply with swimsuit.
Trade buzz appears to suppose Jackson is not going to solely signal first however get the largest deal of those three, since he’s the one with an MVP trophy he can wave in his crew’s face on the negotiating desk. Jackson is working with out a conventional agent, which throws at the very least some uncertainty into the difficulty. However the Ravens have made it clear they wish to preserve him and perceive what it’ll price. It wouldn’t shock individuals across the league if Jackson’s deal got here in behind Mahomes’ $45 million-a-year common and forward of Prescott’s $40 million, however as all the time, the important thing might be to observe the construction and ensures.
That final element is the important thing level. The Ravens will wish to pay Lamar, however how player-friendly or team-friendly the deal is stays up for debate.
That is the place the 2021 season comes into play. The Ravens have made a real, good-faith effort to encompass Lamar Jackson with high quality pass-catchers and sources. It’s clear Jackson is a novel and devastating expertise, however it’s simply as clear that Lamar is extra of a wizard along with his legs than his arm. Patrick Mahomes is a gifted passer who can run nicely. Lamar is a gifted runner who can generally throw the ball brilliantly however hasn’t manifested sufficient command of the passing recreation to present Baltimore a whole offense.
Lamar Jackson clearly regressed in 2020. Sure, he set the bar very excessive in his 2019 MVP season, so a comedown was inevitable to some extent, however Lamar’s regression was sharp. The Ravens must know that in the event that they fall behind 10-0 or 13-0 within the first half, they’ll come again. They should see Lamar take some punches and lead his crew down the sector late in video games when trailing, passing the ball expertly even when defenses know Baltimore has to throw.
Patrick Mahomes has already established himself as a quarterback who can battle for 2 or three quarters however then take over the sport within the fourth quarter on passing downs and in predictable passing conditions. His expertise as a passer takes over and leaves defensive gamers shaking their heads. Lamar Jackson won’t ever attain that customary on a everlasting foundation, however he undoubtedly wants to come back nearer to it. His feeble efficiency in opposition to the Payments within the AFC divisional playoffs final January was a bitter punctuation mark on the finish of a really uneven season.
If the Ravens are going to present Jackson a player-friendly extension — a contract Lamar would simply settle for in a stress-free negotiation with the Baltimore group — Lamar has to make huge strides within the passing recreation this 12 months. If he doesn’t, the phrases of an extension will in all probability contain much more discomfort than both facet want to admit.
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