The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension, and the team decided to use the non-exclusive franchise tag on the one-time MVP.
Jackson will have the ability to negotiate contracts with other teams, and the Ravens will have the right to match any offer the quarterback receives elsewhere. However, when the Ravens announced the franchise tag, multiple reports surfaced of teams needing a quarterback but not going after one.
Retired defensive lineman JJ Watt, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, and many others associated with the sport wowed: who wouldn’t be interested in an MVP quarterback, even despite the high price tag he’ll command?
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Quarterback Lamar Jackson, #8 of the Baltimore Ravens, receives a pass while being pressured by defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, #90 of the Cleveland Browns, in the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Baltimore. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
«Why are all these teams so publicly ‘out’ of Lamar Jackson, an MVP winner in his prime at the most important position in the entire NFL?» Watt tweeted. «What am i missing here?»
Added Griffin: «Lamar Jackson is a unanimous MVP, he’s led the NFL in touchdown passes, he’s 26 years old, he’s 45-16 as a starter, and every team in need of a QB says they’re not interested. It doesn’t smell good to me. .»
Jackson was unanimously voted MVP in his second NFL season in 2018. At the time, he led the league with 36 touchdown passes and had 3,127 passing yards. He has clearly demonstrated his ability to shoot and run the ball to keep defenses off balance.
SAINTS’ TYRANN MATHIEU REACTS TO RAVENS USING FRANCHISE TAG ON LAMAR JACKSON: ‘FEELS SOME KIND OF WAY ABOUT IT’
Lamar Jackson, number 8 of the Baltimore Ravens, runs with the ball during the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
The last two seasons have not exactly gone in his direction. Jackson was injured in the second half of the year in both 2021 and 2022, forcing him to miss the final five games of each of those seasons.
He was 8-4 as a starter in 2022. He had 2,242 passing yards with 17 touchdown passes to go along with 764 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta remained hopeful the two sides would reach an agreement.
«Since we have not yet reached a long-term agreement with Lamar Jackson, we will use the franchise tag,» DeCosta said in a statement. «There have been many instances throughout the league and in Baltimore where a player has been designated with the franchise tag and signed a long-term contract that same year. We will continue to negotiate in good faith with Lamar, and we are hopeful that we can to reach a long-term deal that is fair to both Lamar and the Ravens. Our ultimate goal is to build a championship team with Lamar Jackson leading the way for many years to come.»
Baltimore Ravens number 8 Lamar Jackson walks onto the field for pregame warmups before playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 27, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Jackson could sign the franchise tag, which would be a one-year deal expected to be worth around $32.7 million.
John Harbaugh seemed confident in January when he predicted there was a «200% chance» Jackson would stay with the Ravens.
It is not clear what the heist is. Reports indicated at the start of the 2022 season that Jackson was seeking a fully guaranteed deal at the range Deshaun Watson landed with the Cleveland Browns.
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Last March, he referred to the «false narrative» that he was saying he was trying to leave Baltimore. He said that he loved the Ravens of him.