Lamar Jackson’s NFL colleagues turn up the heat after Ravens tag him, teams reportedly deny interest
The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson failed to agree on a contract renewal, 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 came from teams that need a quarterback but don’t want to chase him.
Retired defensive lineman JJ Watt, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, and a host of others associated with the sport raised eyebrows — who wouldn’t be interested in an MVP quarterback, despite the hefty price tag that comes with it?
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Quarterback Lamar Jackson, No. 8 of the Baltimore Ravens, gets a pass while being pressured by defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, No. 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’ on Lamar Jackson, an MVP winner at his peak at the most important position in the entire NFL?” What tweeted. “What am I missing here?”
Griffin added, “Lamar Jackson is a unanimous MVP, has led the NFL in Passing Touchdowns, is 26 years old, is 45-16 as a starter and all the QB needy teams say they are not interested. Doesn’t smell good to me. “
Jackson was a unanimous MVP pick in his sophomore season in the NFL in 2018. At the time, he led the league in 36 touchdown passes and had 3,127 passing yards. He has clearly shown that he can throw the ball and run to keep the defense off balance.
SAINTS’ TIRANN MATHIEU RESPONDS TO RAVEN USING FRANCHISE TAG ON LAMAR JACKSON: ‘FEEL SOME KIND OF AWAY’
Lamar Jackson, #8 of the Baltimore Ravens walks with the football 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 haven’t exactly run their course. Jackson has been injured in the second half of the year in both 2021 and 2022, forcing him to miss the last 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 in addition to 764 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta remained hopeful that the two sides would reach a deal.
“Because 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 was designated with the franchise tag and signed a long-term contract that same year. We will continue to negotiate with Lamar in good faith and we hope that we can reach a long-term agreement that is fair is for both Lamar and the Ravens. Our ultimate goal is to build a championship team with Lamar Jackson as the leader for years to come.”
Lamar Jackson, #8 of the Baltimore Ravens, takes the field for pregame warmups prior to 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’s unclear what the hold-up is. Reports indicated at the start of the 2022 season that Jackson was looking for a fully guaranteed deal in the range Deshaun Watson got with the Cleveland Browns.
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Last March, he addressed the “false narrative” thrown out as he tried to leave Baltimore. He said he loved his Ravens.
