ESPN analyst says Ravens QB Lamar Jackson deserves to be compensated before returning to Baltimore

The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2022 offseason with plenty of needs to fill and plenty of avenues to address them. However, there are talking points about positions that they already have star players at, including the quarterback position.

A massive question surrounding the team for many, many months now has been around the contract status for quarterback Lamar Jackson. On Thursday, ESPN analyst and former NFL defensive back Ryan Clark offered his opinion on how much Jackson should make on a new deal and how he should handle the situation if one is not reached.

.@Realrclark25 wants to see Lamar Jackson get paid

“He deserves to be in that 40 million-plus crew. … I believe that’s what he needs to get to even walk on the grass in Baltimore.” pic.twitter.com/VTDO6cebaD

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 24, 2022

Jackson is entering the final season of his fifth-year rookie contract. The former league MVP is slated to make $23.02 million.

While discussing the contract situation with other analysts, Clark noted that Jackson showed grit last season while he lead the team.

“If you’re Lamar Jackson, you have to understand how much money that you are worth just walking around and that’s what you have to make the Baltimore Ravens pay you. This guy has absolutely carried this team since taking over for Joe Flacco. He wins an MVP, two back-to-back seasons of 1,000 yards rushing and early on in the season when this team was depleted, no running back, missing pieces on the defensive side of the football, he was willing them to win with his legs, his arm and his heart.”

Jackson has stated before that he is more concerned about winning games then contract negotiations. It is fair to say the fifth-year quarterback deserves to get paid. When and how much remains to be seen.