For months, quarterback Lamar Jackson was engaged in contract negotiations with the Baltimore Ravens that seemed to be going nowhere fast.
When they placed their non-exclusive franchise tag on him last month, many felt his days as a member of the team were numbered and that it was only a matter of time before he left.
But on Thursday, the two sides agreed to a five-year deal worth $260 million.
An interesting side note to these negotiations is the fact that Jackson is the rare pro athlete who doesn’t have an agent, and Michael Ginnitti noted that it saved Jackson a few million dollars on this new contract.
Assuming a 3% agent fee cap, and aside from whatever money he may have doled out to “consultants”, Lamar Jackson stands to have saved at least $5.5M (3% of the $185M practically guaranteed) in this negotiation.
It’s not for everyone, but it appears to have worked out well here.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) April 27, 2023
Over the last two years, a number of quarterbacks and wide receivers have gotten huge new contracts, and while some may argue that Jackson’s new deal is too hefty, it does give the Ravens plenty of certainty and security about the foreseeable future.
On the other hand, it will make it at least somewhat difficult for them to improve the cast around Jackson, given the restrictions of the salary cap.
In an attempt to give Jackson some help, they signed Odell Beckham Jr., a three-time Pro Bowler, but he is coming off two ACL injuries, and it is an open question whether he will be able to provide the type of production that used to be a given from him.
Even if Beckham is able to post a 1,000-yard season, Baltimore could use a legitimate No. 2 wideout to take the pressure off Beckham and star tight end Mark Andrews.
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Lamar Jackson Decided To Announce His Deal Himself
