Lamar Jackson’s new Ravens deal includes $185 million guaranteed
Arundel Mills, Maryland Quarterback Lamar Jackson went from wanting to leave Baltimore to agreeing to the biggest contract in Ravens history in less than a month.
Think of it as just another one of Jackson’s incredible spin maneuvers.
Jackson and the Ravens announced on Thursday that they had reached a five-year contract after 27 months of difficult negotiations.
According to a source who spoke to ESPN, the deal is valued at $260 million, making Jackson the highest-paid player in the league with $52 million annually. According to the source, guaranteed funds totaling $185 million are included.
Prior reports claimed that Jackson was vying for Deshaun Watson’s guaranteed $230 million from the Cleveland Browns from the previous season. The Cardinals guaranteed Kyler Murray $189.5 million as part of a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension.
In a video that the Ravens uploaded to Twitter, Jackson stated, “There has been a lot of what he said, she said for the last few months.” Much biting of nails. Many times
In a video that the Ravens uploaded to Twitter, Jackson stated, “There has been a lot of what he said, she said for the last few months.” Much biting of nails. Many people are scratching their heads.
Then Jackson said, “But for the next five years, there’s a lot of ‘flock’ going on,” raising a football bearing the Ravens’ logo.
In the negotiations, Jackson represented himself, and ten days later, he signed a $255 million, five-year contract extension with Jalen Hurts, which included a guaranteed $180 million. Additionally, the agreement was reached just before the NFL Draft began, with the Ravens having the option to select a quarterback in the first round. Rather, they made Jackson’s life easier by selecting Boston College star receiver Zay Flowers at No. 22 overall. A short while later, Jackson posted a supportive message on social media.
Eric DeCosta, general manager of the Ravens, would not comment on the extent to which Hurts’ contract affected Jackson’s. He calculated that during the previous two years, the Ravens had presented Jackson with five or six different proposals.
“He is, in our opinion, the best quarterback.”
Eric DeCosta, general manager of the Ravens, would not comment on the extent to which Hurts’ contract affected Jackson’s. He calculated that during the previous two years, the Ravens had presented Jackson with five or six different proposals.
“We do feel that he’s the best quarterback in the NFL,” DeCosta stated, “and I think this contract reflects that.”
DeCosta acknowledged he had moments when he didn’t think a deal would get done with Jackson, but his appreciation for the QB never wavered. He did feel a weight lifted when Jackson agreed to a deal.
“I feel that way sometimes with family, things can get tough, and there was definitely some emotion,” DeCosta said. “But in the end, we’ve been blessed to have Lamar as part of this organization for a long time. I think he feels this place is special, too. And it was business; it wasn’t personal.”
Last month, the Ravens placed the nonexclusive franchise tag on Jackson, which allowed him to negotiate with other teams and gave Baltimore the right to match any offer sheet signed. But no teams publicly showed interest in him.
Still, it seemed like both sides were headed for a divorce March 27, when Jackson announced he had requested a trade just before coach John Harbaugh spoke to reporters at the NFL’s annual meeting. Jackson wrote on Twitter that the Ravens “had not been interested in meeting my value” in contract talks.
“It was a very unusual, unique negotiation,” DeCosta said. “So it just took time. And hopefully, honestly, I have to say I hope I never have to be a part of that type of negotiation again because of the time, because of the emotional aspect.”
Now, Jackson is in a position to fulfill his draft day promise to the Ravens. It was five years and one day ago when Jackson proclaimed, after being selected with the last pick of the first round, “They’re going to get a Super Bowl out of me; believe that.”
Jackson turned a franchise that had missed the playoffs for three straight seasons into a winner again. His career record of 45-16 (.738) is the fourth-best of any starting quarterback to debut in the Super Bowl era.
In 2019, his first full season as a starter, Jackson became the second unanimous selection as NFL MVP. He led the NFL in touchdown passes (36) and set the league record for most rushing yards by a quarterback (1,206).
But Jackson’s performance has been mired by injuries and uneven play recently. Over the past two seasons, he threw for 33 touchdowns with 20 interceptions and missed a total of 11 games, including a 24-17 playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
All of the angst of the offseason suddenly changed on Tuesday night.
DeCosta, who is a big Celtics fan, was agonizing over Trae Young’s game-winning 3-point shot that lifted Atlanta over Boston in Game 5 when he got a text from Jackson.
“I think we can get a deal done,” Jackson wrote.
DeCosta replied, “Lamar, you just saved my night.”
