Quarterbacks in the NFL set records in 2022 for large contract paydays.
Aaron Rodgers got his money when he reworked his contract for a three-year, $150.815 million extension.
Aaron Rodgers 2018 vs 2022 Contract:
🔹Original 2018: Cash of $51M in 2022 & 2023
🔹New 2022: Cash of $101.5M in 2022 & 2023
📈$50.515M more over same 2 years🔹New 2022: Cash of $49.3M in 2023
Another way to look at this – Rodgers gets $99.815M for one extra contract year 👀
— Ken Ingalls – Packers Cap 💰 (@KenIngalls) March 22, 2022
Deshaun Watson made a payday after Houston traded him to the Cleveland Browns.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford got a three-year extension worth $129 million.
Even Kirk Cousins got paid with a $35 million one-year contract extension.
Now Lamar Jackson is waiting for his payday with the Baltimore Ravens using the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.
Fifth-Year Option Nets $23 Million For 2022
With Jackson at the end of his four-year contract, the team used the fifth-year option to keep him around.
It would cost the Ravens $23 million to keep Jackson on the team.
The move comes as NFL quarterbacks are getting paid record contracts.
Baltimore also needs Jackson at quarterback.
So the move for him to wait puts pressure on the Ravens if they want to keep him around.
With him getting $23 million this year, you can expect the next payoff for Jackson to be more.
Hall of Fame GM Bill Polian, on the Browns fully guaranteed $230m contract give Deshaun Watson:
‘The worst contract in the history of the NFL.’ All players & agents: ‘Hallejuha!’— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) March 23, 2022
Jackson Will Need To Stay Healthy In 2022 For Payoff
The biggest issue Jackson had in 2021 were his injuries.
A bone bruise kept him out of the last four games of the Ravens season.
He also suffered a lower lumbar sprain in 2021.
The injuries could haunt him in 2022 if the Ravens offensive line can’t protect him.
The Ravens were the second worst team in football at protecting their quarterback.
They allowed 57 sacks in 2021.
Without a solid line, Jackson might see an early exit in the 2022 season.
That would ruin any chances he had of getting a big contract.
Will The Risk Jackson Is Taking Now Pay Off In The End?
By not signing a contract now, he is taking a tremendous risk.
However, Jackson is has faith in himself and his ability to stay healthy.
But can his offensive line help keep him healthy?
The only move the Ravens made with their offensive line was signing tackle Morgan Moses.
While he is a solid starter, the Ravens need more help on the line.
The team could have got some of the best free agent linemen on the market.
However, they didn’t sign anyone of note outside of Moses for the line.
That can be an issue for Jackson going into the 2022 season.
Should The Ravens Act Now Or Wait Until Later To Give Jackson An Extension?
With all the things going on in the NFL, one could say they should make a deal now.
However, with the injuries from his past and an offensive line that isn’t improved, they might want to wait.
Both sides are risking a lot by waiting.
If Jackson does good in 2022 and stays healthy, the waiting hurts the Ravens.
But if he gets injured in 2022 or performs poorly, the waiting hurts Jackson.
There are many variables that everyone has to look at before making a deal.
That is currently what the Ravens and Jackson are doing right now.
In the end, all Ravens fans want from the team is for Jackson to be back for 2022 and beyond.
NEXT: Ravens Owner Has A Unique Theory On Lamar Jackson
