Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any NFL team he likes, including returning to the Ravens. Jackson is expected to remain with Baltimore, and both sides have options to make that happen.
"We're excited to start up negotiations again with Lamar Jackson." pic.twitter.com/MDwZh6mnbe
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 19, 2023
Franchise Tag
It’s difficult to believe Baltimore would let this situation get this far, but here we are, and the top option for the Ravens would be the exclusive franchise tag–this will allow for Baltimore two more seasons of team control.
Jackson missed a handful of games this season, including their playoff loss to the Bengals, but the duel threat threw for 2242 yards with 17 TD strikes with an additional 764 rushing yards with three TDs. The Ravens signal-caller has missed a dozen games during his five-year career and 11 over his last two.
Signing Jackson to a longer deal than the two seasons of tags had better begin with at least $100 million over the 1st two years, or it wouldn’t make sense. Jackson will receive roughly $98 million from the two franchise tag seasons, and a long-term deal that doesn’t guarantee $100 million over the first two seasons likely won’t get that deal done.
Baltimore would hate to lose Jackson to another team and has between February 21 and March 17 to place the tag on their QB. If they do indeed tag him, and they likely will, the Ravens have until July 15th to offer Jackson the long-term extension he wants. Otherwise, it’s back to this process in 2024.
Favorites to Sign Lamar Jackson (Odds as of 1/27/2023)
Several teams need a QB, and Jackson is one of the best, but he’s missed 10 games, including the Ravens’ 2022 playoff loss to Cincinnati.
Jackson is looking for a long-term guaranteed contract similar to the one the Cleveland Browns gave QB Deshaun Watson. We should expect that at some point, Jackson will find a long-term guaranteed deal and in the neighborhood of these contracts.
New York Jets +250 (DraftKings)
The Jets QB situation has been a dumpster fire for years, and Jackson could bring generational wealth to the 26-year-old and his family in NYC.
New York needs a QB, and Jackson could fit the bill. NY has plenty of cap space to make this deal happen, and it’s a safe bet the Jets will be strong contenders for Jacksons’ services if Jackson is indeed available.
Atlanta Falcons +350 (DraftKings)
This is interesting because Atlanta chased after Houston Texans FA QB Deshaun Watson hard, and when they didn’t get him signed Marcus Mariota instead.
Mariota was decent but wound up hurt, and rookie QB Desmond Ridder finished the season. Mariota has one year remaining on the two-year deal he signed last summer, and Ridder is under team control for four more seasons.
Las Vegas Raiders +750 (DraftKings)
Lamar Jackson and Devanta Adams hooking up on bombs is an interesting proposition. The Raiders have moved on from Derek Carr and are in the market for a QB, and Jackson would be a good fit for the Raiders.
Having a duel threat behind center alongside Adams, TE Darren Waller, and wideouts Hunter Renfro and Mac Hollins will give Jackson more weapons than he’s ever had in his five seasons with Baltimore.
New England Patriots +900 (DraftKings)
A Bill Belichick and Jackson partnership could be a match made in heaven in the Patriots’ run-heavy offense.
Pats QB Mac Jones had an injury-filled season, and QB2 Bailey Zappe was a decent replacement-the big question is, why spend upwards of $250 million on a QB with injury issues when the team has two developing QBs still on rookie deals?
Indianapolis Colts +1000 (DraftKings)
Jackson would make a great addition to a Colts offense struggling for three seasons to find a suitable replacement for retired QB Andrew Luck.
Indianapolis has a deep threat Jackson didn’t have last season and a very good WR room in desperate need of a QB who can get the job done. The Colts would need to either trade or release QB Matt Ryan, but Jackson is worth any roster shuffling that is necessary.
Where Does Jackson Land?
Baltimore has the final say, and they’ve already stated they plan on Jackson being a Raven long-term. The only thing that hinders the Ravens’ re-signing would be if Jackson tells Baltimore he has no interest in being there. Before that happens, Baltimore would sign Jackson and then trade him to the team he wishes to play for.
The ball is in the Ravens’ court, and they aren’t walking away from their MVP QB without getting something in return. Expect the Ravens to franchise tag Jackson, try and find a deep threat Jackson is lacking and find a way to keep Jackson healthy enough for him to be able to take Baltimore on a deep playoff run.
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