It was only a matter of time before the news struck on Tuesday, and boy did it. After months (maybe even years) of wondering how this saga between the Ravens and their franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson would pan out, the first answer was granted.
We have used the franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson. pic.twitter.com/AHrqyCgcAI
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 7, 2023
To be perfectly honest, I’m not even sure I feel comfortable calling Jackson the “franchise quarterback” anymore. Don’t get it twisted, I’m still in the camp that Jackson must be retained, but the future is just so murky that I can’t do it anymore.
Here’s the team’s official statement on the situation:
Statement from GM Eric DeCosta: pic.twitter.com/LOnW8XpPL5
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 7, 2023
Although they say they’ll continue to negotiate, the fact remains: Jackson is free to negotiate with others, as well. Baltimore fans don’t like it and I wouldn’t be surprised if the players like it even less:
— Ronnie Stanley (@megatronnie) March 7, 2023
😅😅
— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) March 7, 2023
😐😐
— Geno Stone (@GenoStone22) March 7, 2023
Meanwhile, as I’ve read more about the news and sat with it for a while, I’ve begun to feel the team is playing its best card here. On one hand, there is uncertainty about the most important position on the field.
On the other, you’ve now outsourced negotiations with a player who, by many accounts, isn’t engaging you in the negotiation process.
The non-exclusive tag will come at a $32.4 million cap hit. However, Jackson is now free to negotiate with other teams and sign an offer sheet. The Ravens would then have five days to match offer sheet and retain contract or let Jackson go for two first-round picks.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 7, 2023
It's happening.
The non-exclusive, to me, provides a ton of insight into the #Ravens mindset on the situation.
Either they get #8 back on a deal that they're comfortable with or they move on. https://t.co/Ii5PIs4oEY
— Matt Wise (@TheMattWise) March 7, 2023
You have full discretion to match any offer Jackson agrees to. You have the ability to recoup his new team’s next two first-round picks if you elect not to. You let the market set Jackson’s price.
Adam Schefter and Sarah Ellison sum the situation up well with their tweets below:
Lamar Jackson now has the ability to shop for the best deal possible, and Baltimore will have the chance to match any offer sheet he signs or opt for two first-round picks instead. The market is about to mediate Baltimore and Jackson’s differences.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2023
Ravens are taking a major gamble by applying the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson. As such, they must be feeling at least one, or all, of the following:
1) Confidence another team won’t give up two 1sts + more fully guaranteed money than they’ve offered
2) A hard… https://t.co/X5qi2Lfq8r
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) March 7, 2023
Baltimore’s move may still be rather shocking, but shortly after, there were rumors swirling about teams that would not pursue Jackson for themselves:
The Atlanta Falcons will not be pursuing Lamar Jackson, per @diannaESPN pic.twitter.com/ZbTDcZqprR
— PFF (@PFF) March 7, 2023
Update: The #Panthers are not expected to pursue #Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, sources told @josephperson
The #Raiders are also unlikely, according to @VinnyBonsignore
We already know the #Falcons aren't on him either, per @diannaESPN pic.twitter.com/EqpLZKi5Bv
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 7, 2023
At time of writing, here’s where the list stands:
Teams that reportedly will *not* be pursuing a deal for Lamar Jackson include:
▫️Falcons
▫️Dolphins
▫️Panthers
▫️Commanders
▫️Raiders— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 7, 2023
To me, this is the news that’s truly crazy. Why would so many teams – particularly those with glaring holes at Jackson’s position – publicly state that they’re out on a former MVP?
Dov Kleiman is wondering the exact same thing:
To me, it seems very bizarre that so many teams have already let it be known they won't even talk to @Lj_era8
It costs you nothing to try to see where he stands, get a full picture, maybe change your mind.
Some of those teams don't even have a QB1 at the moment.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 7, 2023
I’ve seen various rumors so far, but one that really sticks with me goes all the way to the top, to ownership. Looking back to last offseason, many called the Deshaun Watson deal one that would set the market for years to come.
Well, what if all NFL owners have decided they simply won’t let that happen?
Forget all the outside factors involved in the Watson contact. From the perspective of the owners, his play alone illustrates the danger of fully guaranteed contracts. Furthermore, if NFL owners talked to their counterparts in the NBA, they’d hear all about how guaranteed contracts have led to ridiculous deals being thrown around.
Put that way, Jackson may be the unfortunate centerpiece of a larger effort by owners to ensure guaranteed deals do not become the standard.
There’s many reasons why I’m not the Ravens owner, but if this is true, it makes perfect sense that the Ravens would wait things out.
The non-exclusive franchise tag is a risk, but the Ravens might feel like there isn't a team out there that would give Lamar Jackson a deal that they themselves wouldn't match while also giving up two-first round picks
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) March 7, 2023
My opinion..
Lamar will be a raven – they’ll let the market dictate his contract. I also believe they’ll match any offer he accepts. 2 1st round picks is simply not enough to replace his rare talent & his value to the franchise. Raven fans it will work out. Just my opinion 🤷🏾♂️— Tony Jefferson II (@_tonyjefferson) March 7, 2023
I’m certain there’s loads more to come on this subject, but I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
17 Responses
I think its great. It will be a lot better once we get those first round picks and drop the dead weight. LJ has gone as far as he’s capable of going. Time to get a QB that can throw it outside the hashes, and someone that doesn’t have to be coddled all the time. How about an adult with an agent or at least a rookie with an agent. He’s well on his way to being the next Vince Young. Let the door not hit you, the dog shoulda bit you Lamar.
I can live with most of the potential outcomes:
#4 isn’t good, but Lamar would really be spiting himself more than the team here. His value would plummet. I’m not sure that he cares. He will have made over $70 million by the end of this season, so he will be fine regardless. I’m just not sure how much pride he has to be great.
There’s tons of emotion around this (players, fans) but at the end of the day it’s a business decision and non-exclusive works for both sides. Both learn market value. I suspect Tony Jefferson is right. Ravens eventually will sign Lamar for equitable/reasonable price after he realizes no owner in right mind is going for fully guaranteed $235-240 M contract. If some crazy team does, Ravens can walk away knowing it was the right move business-wise.
Great move by the Ravens. Lamar is the most talented QB the team has ever had, and it will work itself out. Of course there is collusion. There is no doubt. It is what it is. I think I’m the end we will still have #8 to get us the next chip. Go Ravens.
As I’ve said elsewhere, he’s getting bad advice and shoulda/coulda/woulda had an agent, but for bad advice originally, which undoubtedly would have prevented this mess! By not proving his worth last season as he intended, he’s primarily responsible for this conundrum…..
Pretty bold move by the Ravens. I’m surprised but glad they did it. This nonsense had to end. They could end up getting burned but I think it’s a risk worth taking at this point. If some dumbass team jumps in and gives him a fully guaranteed deal … well I guess LJ and the union can rub our noses in it, but who cares, we would be out from under this albatross around out necks.
This was a prudent move by the Ravens. Since the club and Lamar have spent two futile years (mostly on the Ravens part) trying to come to an agreement, it makes sense for the club to let Lamar do some of the heavy lifting on his own. Risky, sure. But at least EDC doesn’t have to worry about pruning an extra 13 million to make cap weight on March 15. Plus I think the Ravens know that no other club will offer a F.G.C.
What IS shocking to me is that the clubs that are (supposedly) quarterback-needy bailed on talking with L.J. Just minutes after the Ravens announced their tagging plans ATL, CAR, MIA, LVR, and WAS all indicated on various web sites that they’re sitting the Lamar sweepstakes out.
Even if the Ravens communicated Lamar’s contract demands to the rest of the owners, what does it cost to give him a call and see for themselves? Now, THAT looks bad.
Yeah, THAT does look bad. The players union is probably working on their Collusion case as we speak. Those teams should have kept their mouths shut and just let things play out. However, don’t be a bit surprised when one of those teams suddenly has a change of heart
The Ravens front office has presumably done their homework. And determined that the nonexclusive tag is a reasonable or good risk for them. But it only takes on team to run the bidding up. There is also the fact that the offense of most teams now would need to change a lot of players to take advantage of Lamar Jacckson’s unique skills. So maybe teams just don’t want to rearrange their offensive players. That’s a major commitment.
My thought is his contract plus 2 first rounders is enough to cripple a team for a few years. And with no first rounders this year and next team better be damn close to a superbowl to commit so much. I think we match any deal he signs honestly.
They don’t pay you for what you did 3 years ago. A rookie has 5 years to prove himself. When the NFLPA agreed to a CBA with the rookie salary structure and the franchise tag options it was a contractural deal. He bet on himself and lost. Don’t crusify the owner he’s not Angelos.
I hear a lot about how great LJ is and the disbelief that no QB needy team is interested so it has to be collusion. That is a narrow look at this. 1 Player can help a team up to a point. He needs play makers who also want to be paid, Then on top of that they are giving up some important picks that could help them with good players on rookie contracts. I realize most people think the owners have mountains of cash laying around in a closet but 250 million + is a lot of cash to be tied up and still try to run a business. Just look at what is starting to happen with the Browns trying to field a competitive team and still try to pay Watson. It really isn’t as simple as what some believe it is. Teams have to work within the cap and the rules of CBA and that makes it challenging.
I’m confused….. I thought we agreed that Lamar wasn’t all that good. We beat up on him almost weekly. And nowwe appear to want him back? I’m confused….
Can you write a piece explaining why we need to move on from him? Don’t forget to mention how bad of a player we agree he is.
Read that:
So Lamar as the cornerstone of the Ravens?
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Thank you for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your next post thanks once again. https://vanzari-parbrize.ro/index.php