The Baltimore Ravens continue to work toward a contract extension for star quarterback Lamar Jackson, an act that has kept the team’s fan base chomping at the bit with anticipation.
Both sides are saying good things about the other, trusting that the process will result in something they can agree on. But there has been no indication as to when that will happen, and with free agency in two weeks, the Ravens would like to come up with something so they can come up with their free agency game plan.
That’s why general manager Eric DeCosta stepped onto the podium at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Wednesday knowing his questions weren’t going to be about NFL Draft prospects.
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Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball defended by Rayshawn Jenkins #2 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at TIAA Bank Field on November 27, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)
Instead, he talked about Jackson first and foremost.
«You can’t win in this league without a strong quarterback. That’s been proven. So we want Lamar here,» DeCosta said.
Head coach John Harbaugh has always endorsed Jackson’s talent and leadership at quarterback for this team, and he did so again Wednesday.
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«He’s my quarterback, he’s my guy. I love him,» Harbaugh said. «As a coach, I really want to see it done. But it’s not easy. It’s never easy. It’s the business part. But I’m very hopeful and I’m excited.»
What the Ravens would like to avoid, if possible, is franchise tag Jackson. There are two different options: the exclusive tag, which doesn’t allow teams to talk to him, and the non-exclusive tag, which has the opposite effect. The non-exclusive would allow the Ravens to match any offer Jackson receives from another team or receive two first-round picks for letting him walk.
November 7, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, United States; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) battles the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. (Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports)
«We’re hoping to reach an agreement with Lamar before that happens,» DeCosta said. «But sure, they’re big numbers. We know they’re big numbers. We’re prepared for that. We have four or five or six different plans based on what happens in the next 10 days.»
Those numbers DeCosta mentioned depend on what tag the Ravens might use. You’d think Baltimore would hit Jackson with the exclusive tag, which would be about $46 million for a year (average of the top five salaries at the position for 2023).
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Baltimore would have until July to agree to an extension if a tag is used.
While that’s an option, as DeCosta said, the Ravens will continue to work with Jackson to work something out.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 27, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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However, the closure is running. The franchise tag window is March 7th. If Jackson is not tagged, he will become an unrestricted free agent.