Lamar Jackson’s future with the Ravens is the biggest off-season storyline in the entire NFL.
Almost every day, there is a story about where Jackson could land if he is traded — the Falcons, Raiders, and Jets, among other potential landing spots.
Jackson is a free agent, but it’s almost certain that the Ravens will place a franchise tag on him as the two sides continue to work on a long-term deal.
But that’s not the only major storyline with the Ravens, who aren’t short on drama.
Coach John Harbaugh is in the process of hiring a new offensive coordinator after parting ways with Greg Roman, who officially wasn’t fired, but instead walked away from the job.
The first order of business for this new offensive coordinator will be to get the quarterback moving forward with the rest of the offense.
All the options available to the #Ravens with the Lamar Jackson saga. Which tag makes sense? What is the impact on the cap (there’s an interesting loophole) and who could be cut to make way for Lamar & a No. 1 WR? Get out the popcorn 🍿 @RavensSalaryCap https://t.co/9UQcz7wZYf
— Russell St. Report (@RussellStReport) January 29, 2023
Even if the Ravens decide to hold onto Jackson, there is no guarantee that he will show up for off-season workouts.
His absence would create a serious challenge for the new coordinator as he tried to install his offense.
The uncertainty surrounding Jackson could also drive some potential candidates away.
Harbaugh is not thinking that far ahead, but if Jackson does hold out, it could impact his performance with the new offensive coordinator.
“There’s a history of that with guys that are given the tag, but Lamar’s a unique guy, too. Lamar’s … not beating to everybody’s drum. He does his own thing the way he wants to do it. So, those things will all come down the road as they come, and we’ll adjust and adapt as we face them.”
Jackson reportedly wants a deal similar to quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was given a five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns that included a $44.97 million signing bonus with $230 million guaranteed.
That astronomical contract shook up the rest of the NFL.
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti even talked about how Watson’s contract will make future deals with quarterbacks more difficult.
“It’s like, ‘Damn, I wish they hadn’t guaranteed the whole contract. I don’t know that he should’ve been the first guy to get a fully guaranteed contract,” Bisciotti said. “To me, that’s something that is groundbreaking, and it’ll make negotiations harder with others.”
The main challenge for the Ravens’ new offensive coordinator will be to overhaul a passing attack that was ranked 28th in the NFL, averaging 178.8 yards per game. Baltimore’s wide receivers scored just seven touchdowns in 17 games.
Both Jackson and backup quarterback Tyler Huntley need to work on being more effective throwing the ball downfield.
An explosive attack is key to any team’s postseason success.
The offensive coordinator will need to know who is going to be throwing those balls downfield.
General manager Eric DeCosta is confident that it will be Jackson.
“That’s the challenge really for a player representing himself, I think,” DeCosta said. “We have to keep those two personalities separate: the Lamar Jackson, the agent, versus Lamar Jackson, the player. The player is somebody who I hold in extremely high regard. He’s a fantastic competitor, one of the most infectious personalities you’ll ever see, one of the most talented players in the league, a truly wonderful person in the community in everything else that he does.
“We’ll put our heads together; we’ll negotiate a contract. I told Lamar that, ‘Hey, this thing has been a burden for both of us,’ I said, ‘But when this thing is over, we are going to feel like a million bucks,’ and that’s truly how I feel.”
