Dealing With Jackson

The clock is now ticking for the Ravens and Lamar Jackson to agree to a new contract this offseason.

If the two sides cannot reach a new deal, the Ravens will place a franchise tag on him.

From there, the future is murky.

Jackson reportedly wants a deal similar to Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who landed a five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns, including $230 million in guaranteed money.

It was by all accounts an irresponsible contract by the Brows and the Ravens have to suffer because Jackson wants even more guaranteed funds.

The Ravens are 45-16 when Jackson is in the lineup and 8-13 when he’s sidelined.

The problem is that he has missed 10 games in the past two seasons at the most critical time.

Last year, the Ravens went 0-5 and missed the playoffs when Jackson suffered an ankle injury in the Week 13 game against the Cleveland Browns.

This past year, the Ravens went 2-3 down the stretch when Jackson injured his knee in the Week 13 game against the Broncos. As a result, they slipped from atop the AFC North and had to go on the road to Cincinnati, where they lost to the Bengals in the first round of the AFC playoff. The team in purple should have won, had it not been for a costly fumble by backup quarterback Tyler Huntley.

“Yeah, we would’ve won if Lamar played too,’ running back J.K. Dobbins said after the game. “[Huntley] played a hell of a game.”

After the last down is played, it’s @RavensSalaryCap time of the year.

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If the Ravens and Jackson cannot reach a new deal, the team might listen to trade offers have would have to include multiple first-round picks.

Several teams would be willing to pay that price and make Jackson the face of their franchise.

The Seattle Seahawks traded quarterback Russell Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round draft pick to the Denver Broncos for a 2022 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick, a 2022 fifth-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick, tight end Noah Fant, a defensive end Shelby Harris and quarterback Drew Lock.

That deal didn’t exactly work out for the Broncos, who ranked dead last in the NFL, averaging 16.9 points per game.

There was speculation that Jackson was using the knee injury as an excuse not to play because of the uncertainty with the contract, but his teammates scoffed at that idea.

“I don’t even know if I should say this, but he’s like limping around the facility,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “That’s kind of the crazy thing that people don’t see.”

Other teammates are hopeful that Jackson and the Ravens can reach a long-term deal this offseason.

“You can’t let a guy like him go,” defensive end Calais Campbell said. “I know it’s football and there’s always some new exciting toy, a new exciting kid that has potential to go out there and be great, but this is a for sure, a known. You know Lamar Jackson is an incredible player. I think it’s in the best interest of the Ravens organization to give him a long-term contract and make him our guy. I know the front office is feeling the same thing. They’re smart guys.

“They’ve built teams that are always competing for a reason, so I’m sure it’s going to get done, but you never know. You have to take it one day at a time. Lamar Jackson is a star; he deserves to be paid like it and deserves the opportunity to lead his teams to hopefully multiple championships. As long as he’s on the field, you know your team has a chance.”

Jackson’s uncertain status with the Ravens has been a dark cloud hanging over the franchise regardless of what the front office, coaches and players say.

There will be some resolution in the near future that will ultimately impact the Ravens for years to come.

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