The Baltimore Ravens have seen the potential extension of quarterback Lamar Jackson become a national media topic of conversation as the two sides have been unable to agree to a deal ever since the fifth-year player has become eligible for a second contract. It feels as if the two sides have interest in renewing their partnership, although the preferred timing of the deal seems to be different for both sides.
During the 2022 NFL owners meetings, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti took questions from a small group of media members, and was asked about the possibility of Jackson not signing an extension this year. Bisciotti said in his response that Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta can’t be the only one that continues to call and initiate the conversation.
Asked about the possibility of Lamar Jackson not signing an ext. this year, Bisciotti said: “Unless he has a change of heart and calls Eric and says I’m ready. But it’s like, Eric can’t keep calling him and say, ‘Hey Lamar, you really need to get in here and get this thing done.”
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 29, 2022
Bisciotti also talked about the potential implications of new Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson receiving a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
Part 1 of Bisciotti on impact of Deshaun Watson’s new deal with Cleveland on Jackson talks: “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.”
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 29, 2022
Bisciotti, Part 2: “To me, that’s something that is groundbreaking, and it’ll make negotiations harder with others. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to play that game, you know? We shall see.”
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 29, 2022
Regardless of when and where Jackson signs his second contract, it will likely be up with the top quarterback contracts in the NFL, and he will have earned every penny of it. At this point, Jackson will play under the fifth-year option, and if a deal isn’t signed after 2022 the former University of Louisville star could be looking at a year or two of receiving the franchise tag.