NFL insider provides major update on Lamar Jackson's future with Ravens
Lamar Jackson is currently without a contract for the 2023 NFL season. This means that he is potentially set to become a free agent during the offseason. The Baltimore Ravens have major decisions to make regarding their former NFL MVP superstar quarterback. They have until March 15th to do so, when the NFL free agency period officially begins for 2023.
Jackson's future is going to be one of the biggest topics of the 2023 NFL offseason, at least until his pending status is settled in some form. He has been negotiating a long-term contract with the Ravens for more than a year now, but the two sides have been unable to come to an agreement on the details of a new deal.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport recently appeared on an episode of Good Morning Football to provide a major update on the Ravens' plans for Lamar Jackson this offseason:
"For the Baltimore Ravens, their next step is to get to the offseason, which they are about to be in right now. Start negotiating a long-term deal with Lamar. They went down the road a little bit before the season, did not get there. If they can't do a deal, he will get the franchise tag. Is it going to be the exclusive franchise tag, where no one can touch him? Or is it going to be the non-exclusive, where someone can come in and make an offer sheet? That's kind of the next drama with Lamar, but he is still their quarterback going forward."
From @GMFB: What’s next for #Ravens QB Lamar Jackson? I visited the studio to discuss… https://t.co/ax4Kc7x1oM
Rapoport claims the Ravens will do everything within their power to keep Jackson with the team. They will make long-term deals their top priority, but will likely resort to the franchise tag if he doesn't agree to a new contract.
What would the franchise tag mean for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens?
There are two types of franchise tags available during each NFL offseason for players pending free agency. The exclusive tag prevents any other NFL team from making offers to sign the player. It's essentially a one-year contract at a fixed rate. If the Ravens use this on Lamar Jackson, he would remain with the team for one more year, currently worth around $45 million dollars.
The non-exclusive franchise tag will allow other teams to negotiate a new contract with Lamar Jackson. The catch is that the Ravens will have the opportunity to match any other deal. If they do, the other team's offer will be voided. If the Ravens choose not to match the offer, Jackson can sign with the new team. In exchange, the team will have to give the Ravens two first-round NFL Draft picks.
If Lamar Jackson does in fact hit free agency, he will be one of the hottest targets of all time. It's unclear whether or not that will happen. His Ravens teammate Marlon Humphrey recently sent out a cryptic tweet with no context. He may not be referring to Jackson, but it's also possible that he is when he simply said, "He's back."
He’s back
It's possible Humphrey has inside information about their contract negotiations. It's equally possible he's just being optimistic. He could also be referring to something else altogether. This is just another twist in the Lamar Jackson contract saga, which figures to get more complex as the 2023 NFL offseason plays out.