NFL Rumors: Stephen A. Smith claims Lamar Jackson never asked for fully guaranteed contract
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is a pending free agent who may hit the market.
The Ravens and Jackson have been trying to come to a long-term deal ever since last season, but the two sides are still having a hard time finding the right numbers for a contract.
Multiple reports suggested that Jackson wanted a deal similar to what the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson by getting a fully guaranteed contract.
On Friday, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said he spoke with "Lamar Jackson's people," who told him that Jackson never asked for a fully guaranteed contract.
Update: Lamar Jackson never asked for a fully guaranteed deal, @stephenasmith says
He says he spoke with “Lamar Jackson’s people” and that it never happened. https://t.co/9z5UzXTXoI
The Ravens offered Jackson a five-year, $250 million contract in September that included $133 million guaranteed that he declined, saying that he wanted more guaranteed money.
The Ravens might not want to meet Jackson's needs due to him not playing an entire season the last two years.
Last season, Jackson threw for 2,242 yards, ran for 764 yards and accounted for 20 total touchdowns. His season was cut short due to him spraining his PCL in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos.
In 2021, against the Browns in Week 14, Jackson suffered a sprained ankle and missed the remainder of the season.
Could the Baltimore Ravens be forced to tag-and-trade Lamar Jackson this offseason?
Could the Baltimore Ravens tag-and-trade Lamar Jackson this offseason?
The Ravens' Plan A is to secure a long-term deal with Jackson and have him as their franchise quarterback for many years.
Plan B would be to tag Jackson and have him play this upcoming season under the franchise tag if the two can't reach a long-term deal.
Plan C would be to tag-and-trade Jackson. If Jackson refuses to play on the tag, which there are rumors he would, the team could trade him to a team that would give him a bigger contract for draft assets.
The two-week window for the franchise tag opened a few days ago, and we'll have a better understanding of the situation when we find out whether or not the Ravens use it on Jackson.