It’s almost judgment day, folks, and the Ravens seem ready to take this one down to the wire.
I’m referring, of course, to Tuesday’s 4:00pm ET deadline for Baltimore to apply the franchise tag to Lamar Jackson, something that feels like a certainty at this point.
The remaining question, one that flared up this weekend, is this: exclusive or non-exclusive?
This was a common thought in Indy this past week, with Atlanta considered the favorite to explore that option if it came to fruition. https://t.co/Z25bQ22HOd
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) March 5, 2023
The exclusive tag locks Jackson in for the 2023 season at a projected $45 million fully guaranteed, while the non-exclusive tag would pay him $32 million, also fully guaranteed, but with the option to negotiate with other clubs and force the Ravens to match an offer sheet or accept two first-rounders as compensation.
As it stands, no team appears willing to match both the Ravens’ asking price to trade for Jackson and the 2019 MVP’s contract demands. But that could change if the trade compensation were fixed at two first-rounders under the terms of the non-exclusive tag. Teams with 2023 firsts in the back-half of the round – say, the Giants at 26th overall – could go after Lamar more aggressively knowing they’d likely get better (and therefore have an equal or later first-rounder in 2024) with him under center.
All of a sudden, ponying up $200 million or more guaranteed to Lamar may not feel so onerous at the cost of two late first-round picks, especially compared to the draft pick packages the Broncos and Browns had to give up to land their ‘franchise’ quarterbacks.
That’s why the non-exclusive tag has always felt like a non-option. It sets up a scenario in which the Ravens would either be forced to take below-value draft pick compensation for Lamar or match a contract that they’ve been unwilling to offer before now.
What could happen if the Ravens place the non-exclusive tag on Lamar Jackson and he goes elsewhere? @PFF_Gordon breaks down scenarios where the Ravens draft his replacement ⬇️https://t.co/2gJClblJKW
— PFF (@PFF) March 6, 2023
That being said, the non-exclusive tag would almost guarantee that the Jackson situation is resolved as soon as possible. Jackson appears to be steadfast in his desire for a fully guaranteed deal surpassing that of Deshaun Watson. The Ravens certainly don’t appear willing to give him that, nor does any other team, but perhaps Baltimore would match the best deal Lamar can negotiate with other teams, keeping him in purple and black for the foreseeable future. Or, if a team with an appealing 2023 first rounder offers him the full monty, the Ravens can bid him adieu and seek their next quarterback.
Either way, the Saga would come to a merciful close, and both sides could move on to the benefit of, well, everyone, including the entire fanbase’s mental health.
This is why I’m skeptical about them using the non-exclusive tag. They’d need to be certain that they either (1) will have the best offer on the table no matter what or (2) that they can/will match any offer sheet. And, if they were wrong, and only get two 1st, oh boy! https://t.co/Ff4oKQc9lN
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) March 5, 2023
Ultimately, though, I think there’s too much risk in the non-exclusive tag. The desire to get things over with is understandable, but the discomfort and anxiety around Jackson’s contract should not force Baltimore into a bad decision.
Speaking of bad decisions, we’re approaching the decade anniversary of one of the franchise’s most regrettable ones: trading away Anquan Boldin.
13 years ago today, the Ravens acquired Anquan Boldin from the Cardinals in exchange for third and fourth round picks
Boldin would finish his three years in Baltimore with 186 receptions for 2,645 yards and 14 touchdowns, and one Super Bowl championship
pic.twitter.com/GQofgvhfID— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) March 5, 2023
After giving up third- and fourth-round picks for him in 2010, the Ravens dealt him to San Francisco for just a sixth-round pick despite coming off a massive playoff run that culminated in, oh yeah, a Super Bowl!
Baltimore’s receiver room has never recovered, with a string of injuries, busts and other forms of bad luck striking the Ravens’ wideouts on a near-annual basis. Spending draft picks on receivers has done little to reverse the curse, but perhaps pursuing a star with reckless abandon could finally bring it to an end.
Perhaps trading with the team who stole Boldin away could offer enough irony to the football gods for a reprieve. Does Brandon Aiyuk like crabcakes?
Florida IOL O'Cyrus Torrence has formal interviews at the NFL Combine with #Titans, #Ravens, #Eagles, #Jaguars and #Cowboys, per source.
Torrence was excellent at the @seniorbowl and has HIGH 1st-round potential.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 2, 2023
I’d imagine that 347-pound Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence does. I’m not sure I have a first-round grade on him as a guard-only prospect with athleticism concerns, but he’d be a fine option in a trade-back scenario as a plug-and-play lineman for the duration of his rookie deal.
Another option after trading back could be Georgia tight end Darnell Washington, a massive mismatch player who excelled under Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken during their time together at Georgia.
Georgia TE Darnell Washington says he grew up a Ravens fan. His favorite TE: Mark Andrews. His offensive coordinator the past three seasons: Todd Monken.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) March 3, 2023
Washington needed no encouragement to play up his connections to Baltimore, and given the Ravens’ affinity for tight ends, this wouldn’t shock me either.
Darnell Washington pushing the sled then other TEs for reference. 😳
Some GM is gonna get an extra OL who is also fast and can catch. pic.twitter.com/lIU20evvxV
— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) March 5, 2023
The speed-size packages that Monken could deploy would be outright scary, even for the fastest and strongest of opposing defenses.
If only they could get that pesky quarterback situation figured out…
10 Responses
Let me shred this for you. Lamar Jackson is a QB that’s won 1 playoff game in 5 seasons. By comparison Joe Burrows has been to 2 AFC Championship games and 1 superbowl in 3 seasons. Therefore, Lamar Jackson ain’t worth as much as he thinks he is. By going Non-exclusive he’s going to find that out the hard way or crawl back to baltimore to sign whatever they have. But the kid doesn’t want to be here and to prove that to you I’ll say this; I’ll bet he’s willing to take whatever to get out of here. LJ is a spoiled little brat with an inflated ego. It’s time to pop that ego. Because this ain’t the NBA, the owners run stuff here ot the players. So get ready for the crybaby to start crying. I hope they trade him asap. He’s taken us as far as he’s capable of.
I hope they trade him too. I’ll be disappointed if they don’t. I think he and his mommy are in for a rude awakening when other teams aren’t lining up to give him the ridiculous contract he’s asking for.
i really believe jackson not showing up for our cincy playoff game was a tell…the guy is not the team player the organization has been selling for 5 years……
that was a deliberate snub and imo,speaks volumes……
we`re halfway through his career with one playoff win and nobody can convince me that all these receivers they brought in over the last 5 years are garbage aside from andrews….
it`s something else….either the front office continuing ozzie`s “the offense is the stepchild to the defense” philosophy perpettuating itself or it`s lamar himself…
if they keep him he has to become a better passer and more importantly,he has to stay on the field…
I agree. My opinion – at this point LJ’s ego has gotten in the way. 1) He’s not as good as he thinks he is. 2) He’s not been able to play a full season in the last two years, 3) Not showing up for the playoff game in Cincy – was both insulting and a terrible public relations move – especially for a team leader. 4) The fan base I talk to, overwhelmingly, want him traded. 5) As I noted in a response to one of Tony’s columns a week or so ago – I just get the sense that the other GMs in the league are really buying the hype. Meaning – as the Bleacherreport report from today notes – the Raiders, Dolphins, Panthers, and Commanders are not likely to pursue a Jackson deal. The Jets are talking to Rodgers (per reports). If the Falcons fold -not sure who signs #8. Take the 2 # 1’s (if we get the chance) and move on. This GM stuff is easy 🙂
The problem with trying to trade him is how strong is his determination for that fully guarantee contract. What organization out there is willing to commit to him that kind of money. LJ may drag this out for them as long as he has with the Raven. As a GM for another team this may make me think real hard.
I think you’re exactly right. It’s a big problem. If I was a GM for some other team I would have to think long and hard about trading for this guy.
Schefter also reported teams don’t like putting in all the work of writing a contract that another team can match.
I hope he gets the contract he wants. It will most likely be his last one
A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client.
Just what the Ravens need, another overweight lineman.