The Baltimore Ravens have reportedly offered Lamar Jackson $200million (£161.6m) in guaranteed money - more than the deal signed by Jalen Hurts as the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback became the highest-paid player in NFL history.
On Monday, it emerged that Hurts and Philadelphia had agreed to a five-year deal worth $255m (£206m) with more than $179.3m (£144.9m) in guarantees. The 24-year-old will earn around $51m (£41.2m) a year, which eclipses four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers as the highest-paid quarterback in football.
Jackson - whose future has been one of the biggest storylines across the offseason - has been embroiled in a dispute with the Ravens as the former MVP eyes guaranteed money comparable to Deshaun Watson, who signed a $250m deal with the Cleveland Browns last year. Jackson announced he had requested a trade from the Ravens last month just days after the AFC North placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on the 26-year-old.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Ravens offered Jackson $200m total guaranteed and the previously reported $133m was guaranteed on a shorter deal. Jackson reportedly rejected this offer before the 2022 season, which is remarkable given that while the total value is less than Hurts’ contract, more fully-guaranteed money was on the table.
While Jackson is free to speak with other teams and sign an offer sheet, no team has been willing to take that chance thus far due to the compensation of two first-round draft picks as well as the fear that the Ravens would simply match any contract offer. Rapoport added: “I do believe the Ravens will use this and adjust to help get Lamar done, but the deal they offered him was pretty strong.”
Ultimately, the contract Hurts signed with the Eagles will now be a discussion point in negotiations between Jackson and the Ravens. Jackson is a former MVP unlike Hurts, but the 24-year-old did lead Philadelphia to Super Bowl LVII.
The Ravens recently signed star receiver Odell Beckham Jr as a potential weapon for Jackson. The 30-year-old signed an $18m, one-year deal with Baltimore as he returns from a torn ACL he suffered in Super Bowl LVI, and the three-time Pro Bowl star hopes Jackson will be his quarterback come September.
Many have speculated the signing of Beckham was an attempt to make Jackson sign a cheaper deal as the franchise is clearly looking to win. At his introductory press conference, Beckham admitted he wants to play with the 26-year-old.
“Lamar, if you’re watching, I would love to get to work with you,” Beckham said. “Hopefully that gets done. When you think about the Ravens you definitely think about Lamar.”
