Pitting Lamar Jackson’s earnings vs Josh Allen’s numbers: Why $52.3M could lead to more problems for 2019 MVP
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson didn't get the big contract that he's looking for this off-season (at least so far).
The former 2019 league MVP was placed on a non-exclusive franchise tag by the Ravens shortly before the start of the new league year.
While he's seeking a long-term contract, the Ravens haven't been able to meet what he's looking for. Jackson reportedly turned down a three-year $133 million fully guaranteed deal. Other quarterbacks drafted a year after Jackson, such as Josh Allen, Kyler Murray, and Daniel Jones, have all gotten long-term contracts worth over $160 million.
James Boyd of The Athletic wrote in an article about the differences between the quarterback's asking price and other QB contracts around the league. Boyd noted that even if Jackson signed a deal that wasn't fully-guaranteed, he'd make around $150 million guaranteed from a big contract:
"So, if Jackson were to sign a non-fully guaranteed contract, he’d still make somewhere in the range of $150 million guaranteed at the initial signing with the chance to make even more guaranteed money down the line by readjusting his contract.
"We don’t know what Jackson is exactly asking for, but if he refuses to accept a non-fully guaranteed deal, he’ll likely continue missing out on big paydays, while Allen and the star quarterbacks who entered the league after them — Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts, all of whom are eligible for extensions this year — cash in."
Lamar Jackson from a GM’s view: The pros, cons, obstacles of pursuing the QB #BaltimoreRavens #Ravens #GoRavens #RavensFlock theathletic.com/4388066/2023/0…
Can the Balitmore Ravens and Lamar Jackson get a deal done?
It seems very unlikely that the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson will get a deal done.
Jackson reportedly turned down a three-year $133 million fully guaranteed deal, which he confirmed on Twitter.
but I need a agent? 🤣🤦🏾♂️133/3years fully guaranteed😒 but I need a agent? 🤣🤦🏾♂️
Before the start of last season, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter reported that Jackson turned down a deal worth over $200 million with the Ravens.
While Lamar Jackson is a premier quarterback with a lot of talent, he's going to have to meet the Ravens (or another franchise) in the middle at some point. The longer he keeps holding out and turning down deals, the more it could hurt him in the long term.