Lamar Jackson is heading into the 2022 season in the final year of his contract, but he had a chance to extend it. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that sources believe Jackson turned down a deal “worth roughly” $250 million.
According to the report, the Ravens “resisted” Jackson’s request to have a fully guaranteed contract, similar to that of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Also, the contract Baltimore offered Jackson was to pay him a higher salary and more guaranteed money than Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray.
With fully guaranteed contracts becoming a not-so-secret deal in the NFL, it’s no surprise that a 25-year-old quarterback with an MVP award already to his name wants that. But Baltimore refused, and will look to the offseason to extend the quarterback.
For Jackson, the ball is in his court. If he and the Ravens can’t work out a deal, he will most likely be the most wanted free agent in NFL history. A dynamic playmaker like Jackson rarely shows up on the open market, and he knows it.
So while hoping for a better deal when $250 million is on the table may seem questionable to some and silly to others, it could lead to an even better deal if Jackson hits the open market next offseason.