For many months, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens were embroiled in contract negotiations that were going nowhere fast.
Neither side could come to an agreement for a long time, and it got to the point where the Ravens used their non-exclusive franchise tag on him, which allowed him to negotiate a new contract with any team he wanted.
Luckily, just a few weeks ago the Ravens gave in and granted Jackson a huge five-year, $260 million contract, which is the biggest contract in the NFL.
Now Jackson is getting back to work for the upcoming 2023 season.
Back in the lab fresh off a new contract 😈 (via @Lj_era8) pic.twitter.com/C8TKliBBlS
— NFL (@NFL) May 17, 2023
Until he got that new contract, the thinking was that there was little or no interest in him around the league and that he would have to settle for a contract that was not nearly as lucrative as the one he wanted or eventually got.
But Jackson will remain in Baltimore for the next few years, and the team is moving forward.
The Ravens also signed Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year, $15 million deal, and they’re hoping he will give Jackson the type of weapon at wide receiver he hasn’t really had.
Ever since Jackson became a full-time starter in the 2019 season, their most productive receiver has been tight end Mark Andrews, who is one of the league’s best at his position, but they haven’t had a bona fide threat at wideout.
With the No. 22 pick in last month’s draft, Baltimore took Zay Flowers, a wide receiver from Boston College who had 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022, and they have high hopes for him.
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