OWINGS MILLS, MD – Thanks to former Super Bowl champion wideout Odell Beckham Jr. signing a one-year $18 million deal, with $15 million guaranteed, does this help the Baltimore Ravens in bringing back disgruntled QB Lamar Jackson?
Jackson, who has refused to play for the franchise after failing to come to an agreement on a contract extension, has been hit with the non-exclusive tag, thus allowing a team to negotiate a new deal with the 2019 NFL MVP.
If a team is able to agree to terms with Jackson, then they would surrender two first-round picks for the former Louisville Cardinal’s services.
Without question, it has been the biggest headline during the entire off-season, as Jackson is self-representing himself, and does not have an agent. 45-16 as a starting QB, Jackson is easily a top ten quarterback due to his dual threat abilities as a runner and a passer.
However, Jackson has missed 10 regular season games over the last two seasons due to knee and ankle injuries, causing prospective teams to worry about his durability, causing many to balk at his demands of a new deal in excess of the controversial $230 million fully guaranteed contract Deshaun Watson got from the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns.
Jackson’s argument isn’t helped by Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts and his recent five-year $255 million extension with $179.3 million guaranteed, making him the richest player in NFL history.
If Baltimore signing a player 24 months removed from hoisting the Lombardi, and who immediately upgrades a rather pedestrian wide receiver corps isn’t a sign that the Ravens are trying to help Lamar, then Jackson seriously needs to grow up, swallow his pride and get ready for Week 1.
Yes, Hurts is not quite on the same level as Jackson, but the NFL is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately, and sadly in the case of Jackson, he hasn’t done much to justify the Ravens caving in to his demands.