The contract standoff between the Baltimore Ravens and star quarterback Lamar Jackson may continue following Tuesday’s deadline for teams to use their franchise tags.
In his latest “Football Morning in America” column, NBC Sports’ Peter King suggested that Jackson could threaten to hold out rather than play for the Ravens on the non-exclusive franchise tag next season.
“And if the Ravens put the non-exclusive tag on Jackson, good luck in forcing him to play in 2023 for $32 million…after visions of jillions have been dancing in his head,” King wrote of Jackson.
King shared his take the same day that NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (h/t Christian Gonzales) reported that “Baltimore is headed toward placing the franchise tag on Jackson if no long-term deal can be reached by Tuesday’s deadline.”
Using the non-exclusive tag on Jackson would cost the Ravens roughly $32.4 million in salary cap and cash for 2023. Tagged players will have until July 17 to sign an extension or play under the tag, but the non-exclusive tag would allow Jackson to negotiate with other teams.
Baltimore ultimately could match an offer for Jackson made by another club or accept two first-round draft picks for the services of the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player.
Using the exclusive tag on Jackson would cost the Ravens around $45 million in salary cap and cash for 2023 and prevent him from negotiating with any other teams. To compare, it’s been widely reported that the 26-year-old wishes to land a deal bigger than the five-year contract worth $230 million in fully guaranteed money that Deshaun Watson received from the Cleveland Browns last offseason.
Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell insisted late last week that Jackson wants to sign a long-term contract with the organization. NFL insider Jason La Canfora previously hinted that Jackson may refuse to play for Baltimore on any tag.
The Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons are among teams that have repeatedly been linked with Jackson in stories and rumors this winter. It’s unknown if any of those clubs would give him at least $230 million in fully guaranteed cash.
