The contract negotiations between the Baltimore Ravens and their quarterback Lamar Jackson have turned into a real standoff. While both sides claim they want to get a long-term deal done, multiple reporters indicate that they are nowhere near it.
The Ravens’ general manager Eric DeCosta once again said the right things during his recent chat with the reporters at the NFL scouting combine.
“We want Lamar here,” DeCosta said when asked about his signal-caller.
If the two sides don’t manage to strike a deal soon, the Ravens are expected to place a franchise tag on Jackson in order to ensure they don’t lose him for nothing. However, DeCosta said that the organization hopes this won’t be necessary.
“We’re hopeful to get a deal done with Lamar before that happens,” DeCosta said. “But sure, they’re big numbers. We’ve known they’re big numbers. We’re prepared for that.
It was previously reported that the main issue in negotiations between the Ravens and Jackson is the player’s request to have his entire contract guaranteed. Baltimore is standing firm that this won’t happen, although it is reportedly willing to make Jackson the highest-paid player in the league in average salary.
Since being taken with the final pick of the first round in 2018, Jackson established himself as arguably the best dual-threat quarterback in the history of the league. He made two Pro Bowls, won the MVP honors in 2019, and led the Ravens to playoffs in four out of his five seasons.
