Ex-NFL HC Mike Smith shares a unique take on Lamar Jackson-Ravens contract stalemate (Exclusive)
Will Lamar Jackson remain with the Baltimore Ravens this season, or will he be traded elsewhere?
The Ravens and Jackson are at a crossroads in contract negotiations. After his fifth-year option expired following the 2022-23 season, Jackson was looking for a long-term contract that included a lot of guaranteed money.
The Ravens were unwilling to meet Jackson's asking price, which resulted in them placing a non-exclusive franchise tag on him for this season that will pay him $32.4 million.
During the league owners' meeting in March, Jackson tweeted that he requested a trade from the team.
Former NFL head coach Mike Smith, who coached the Atlanta Falcons from 2008-2014 spoke in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda on The Ballfather podcast and voiced his opinion on what he thinks will happen in the situation. He thinks the Ravens and Jackson will get a deal done.
Smith said:
"They will [figure it out]. It's a dance. It's a dance. And, you know, it's about 10:00. It ain't close to midnight. We still got a couple of hours.
"Absolutely [they'll get it done]. It may be at the eleventh dawn of the clock before midnight, but they're going to get it done. It. It is. There's going to be some clarity here soon, I think."
Is there a chance that Lamar Jackson sits out a year due to being franchise tagged?
Could Lamar Jackson potentially sit out the entire season if he isn't extended long-term? Maybe. Jackson hasn't hinted at possibly sitting out, but one could believe that his attitude could change if he doesn't get a long-term deal.
Since Jackson is on the non-exclusive franchise tag, he is able to speak and negotiate with other teams.
If a team offers Jackson a deal, the Ravens will have five days to match their offer.
BREAKING: #Ravens are placing the non exclusive $32M franchise tag on star QB Lamar Jackson after failing to agree to a long-term deal, per @ByKimberleyA
Lamar is able to negotiate with other teams and the Ravens would be able to match any offer or get 2 first-round picks in a… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… https://t.co/LvXJTmDbtZ
In this scenario, Jackson would get a long-term contract, but probably wouldn't get as much guaranteed money as he's seeking. The Ravens could also match that offer or decline to, resulting in receiving two first-round picks from the team that would sign him.
If nobody offers him a long-term deal, there is a possibility that Jackson could sit out the entire year like Le'Veon Bell did with the Pittsburgh Steelers as he was looking for more money.
Do you think the Ravens and Jackson will get a long-term deal done?
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit The Ballfather podcast, Mike Smith, and H/T Sportskeeda.