A few months ago it was a foregone conclusion that the Baltimore Ravens would offer quarterback Lamar Jackson a contract extension.
It seemed a low priority during the season as the negotiations could become a distraction.
The Ravens did not make the playoffs so their season has been over for about six weeks and yet there is total silence from the parties involved about a Jackson extension.
He enters 2022 playing under the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.
Jackson finds himself in a precarious circumstance, and there are definitely issues making this extension a little harder to visualize.
Why is there so much uncertainty when Jackson is a winner?
Highest win pct since 2018 among active QB
Patrick Mahomes .790 (49-13)
Lamar Jackson .755 (37-12)
Aaron Rodgers .711 (45-18-1)
Mitchell Trubisky .658 (25-13)*min 1000 pass attempts pic.twitter.com/lArQHrrXjP
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 22, 2022
Here are just a few reasons.
3. Minimal Progress
Unless it is being done quietly behind closed doors, there does not seem to be evidence of extensive negotiations.
The lack of progress is strange but not insurmountable especially when we look at T.J. Watt‘s contract negotiations last season.
It does bring up the question of whether Jackson could potentially hold out of preseason activities if there is no extension or progress leading to one in the next couple of months.
Another possibility that neither Ravens fans nor Jackson would want to see happen is the Ravens franchise tagging Jackson in 2023 if things do not get resolved before then.
Honestly I wouldn’t be surprised if Lamar Jackson gets the franchise tag next year. There seems to be a big difference between both sides in contract negotiations
— Mad Prophet (@MadProphet23) February 24, 2022
2. Injury-Plagued Season
When vying for a hefty contract extension, the last thing a player wants is injuries.
Lamar Jackson is right on schedule with his offseason workouts.
After missing the final 4 games with a bone bruise, Jackson told John Harbaugh that he would get back to work a day after the Super Bowl.
On Tuesday, he posted this video to his IG story:pic.twitter.com/xfk9bjcz5C
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) February 16, 2022
Jackson played 12 games in 2021; his biggest problem was a bone bruise that kept him out of action in the latter stages of the season.
Between his tremendous running prowess, mobility to avoid sacks, and arm strength, Jackson is an excellent player when healthy.
Some predict he should receive Dak Prescott money with his extension.
Are the Ravens prepared to pay him that much money?
1. Jackson Acts As His Own Agent
The biggest issue is the fact that Jackson does not have an agent.
He acts as his own agent.
Eric DeCosta and Lamar Jackson trying to negotiate a record-breaking megadeal with no agent, no contract security beyond 2022, the salary cap skyrocketing and a shaky fourth season in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/COQsGVg0Qu
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) February 4, 2022
This sounds like a great idea in theory, but the reality is that the Ravens could make Jackson the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL.
It may be in Jackson’s best interest to have an agent who is acting on his behalf.
Jackson vs. the Ravens is an uneven matchup because the Ravens are experienced and savvy with contracts, and Jackson only has the experience of signing a rookie deal that had a fixed price tag associated with it.
The flip side is that Jackson would not have to pay an agent so could the Ravens pay him less as a result?
Did you know NFL Agents typically make 10% of a players contract?
Lamar doesnt have an Agent so Lamar should consider taking a little less. He’d be able to keep his guys around him while making MORE than he would signing a Big Contract with an Agent@Lj_era8#RavensFlock#Ravens pic.twitter.com/SOr9KX4R7w
— Flockville (@Flockville) February 27, 2022
Conclusion
Friendly reminder that Lamar Jackson is from ANOTHER PLANET.@Lj_era8 | @Ravens
via @nfl pic.twitter.com/SJS06gmFza
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) March 1, 2022
If the Ravens value Jackson as it seems like they do and should, they will get his extension done this offseason.
It is unfair given his level of performance in the first four years of his career for the team to leave him hanging as he goes into 2022.
NEXT: NFL Insider Shares A Bold Take On Lamar Jackson