The Baltimore Ravens made linebacker Roquan Smith a rich man on Tuesday.
With his signature, Smith took a four-year extension worth $100 million.
While the deal gets him the money the Chicago Bears weren’t willing to offer him, it also poses a problem for the Ravens.
The problem comes with their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson.
Jackson, who is in the last year of his contract, has been in unproductive talks with the Ravens for a new contract.
While he’s the anchor of the team’s offense, the team sees Smith as their defensive superstar.
Roquan Smith deserves every penny of his extension. He’s taken the Ravens’ defense to new heights, and is exactly what they need in the middle of their defense
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) January 10, 2023
But the problem comes from how Smith got a deal before Jackson.
Both players are their own agents, which should have everyone questioning this deal.
The Ravens just gave linebacker Roquan (spelling?) Smith $100M for the next 5 yrs, making him the highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL, local news said. He acted as his own agent.
Lamar needs 2 get tips from him. I still doubt the oft-injured qb will get the $250M he wants.
— LisaPizza (@4truthnjustiz) January 11, 2023
How is it that Smith, who the Ravens got before the 2022 NFL trade deadline, gets a contract before Jackson?
Jackson had all offseason to get a new deal, but didn’t sign one.
However, he was offered a deal he turned down because it wasn’t what he wanted.
With the Smith contract, it puts a dent in the Ravens’ 2023 salary cap.
Depending on the final numbers, it could push the team away from a franchise tag on Jackson.
While the Ravens don’t want to offer fully guaranteed money to Jackson, they might if they want to keep him.
Unless they restructure some contracts, the Smith signing might prevent the team from keeping their star quarterback.
NEXT: The Ravens Make A Record Deal Official