Lamar Jackson’s NFL colleagues turn up the heat after Ravens tag him, teams reportedly deny interest
The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson failed to come to an agreement on a contract extension, and the team decided to use the non-exclusive franchise tag on the one-time MVP.
Jackson will have the ability to negotiate deals with other teams, and the Ravens will have the right to match any offers the quarterback receives elsewhere. However, as the Ravens announced the franchise tag, several reports came in from teams that need the quarterback but won’t pursue him.
Retired defensive lineman JJ Watt, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III and many others associated with the sport raised eyebrows — who wouldn’t be interested in an MVP quarterback despite the hefty price tag that comes with it?
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, #8, passes under pressure from Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, #90, during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Baltimore. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
“Why are all these teams publicly ‘out’ on Lamar Jackson, an MVP winner at the most important position in the entire NFL?” Watt tweeted. “What am I missing here?”
Griffin added, “Lamar Jackson is a consensus MVP, leads the NFL in passing touchdowns, is 26 years old, is 45-16 as a starter and all the QB-needy teams are saying they have a Not interested. For me.”
Jackson was a consensus MVP choice in 2018 in his second season in the NFL. At the time, he led the league with 36 touchdown passes and had 3,127 passing yards. He has clearly demonstrated his ability to throw and run the ball to keep defenses off balance.
Saints’ Tyrann Mathieu reacts to Ravens using franchise tag on Lamar Jackson: ‘Feel some kind of way about it’
Lamar Jackson, #8 of the Baltimore Ravens, runs with the football during the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Katherine Riley/Getty Images)
The last two seasons have not exactly gone his way. Jackson was injured in the latter half of the year in both 2021 and 2022, forcing him to miss the final five games of each of those seasons.
He was 8-4 as a starter in 2022. He had 2,242 passing yards with 17 touchdown passes in addition to 764 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is hopeful the two sides will work out a deal.
“Having not yet reached a long-term deal with Lamar Jackson, we will use the franchise tag,” DeCosta said in a statement. “There have been many instances throughout the league and in Baltimore where a player has been designated with the franchise tag and signed to a long-term deal in the same year. We will continue to have good faith discussions with Lamar, and We hope we can reach a long-term deal that is fair to both Lamar and the Ravens. Our ultimate goal is to build a championship team with Lamar Jackson leading the way for many years to come.”
Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens takes the field for pre-game warm-ups before playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 27, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Jackson could sign the franchise tag, which would be a one-year deal worth about $32.7 million.
John Harbaugh seemed confident in January when he predicted there was a “200% chance” Jackson would stay with the Ravens.
It is unclear what the hold is. Reports indicated at the start of the 2022 season that Jackson was looking for a fully guaranteed deal with the Cleveland Browns in the range of Deshaun Watson.
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Last March, he addressed the “false narrative” where he was trying to leave Baltimore. He said he loves his Ravens.
