The Baltimore Ravens have signed Odell Beckham Jr on a one-year deal, but a FaceTime call between the wide receiver and Lamar Jackson has sent a hit that the quarterback may remain with the franchise after all.
Beckham Jr has been a free agent for over a year, with his last NFL appearance falling in Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl win over Cincinnati Bengals at the end of the 2021 season. But after months of negotiations with various teams around the league, Beckham Jr has now penned a one-year deal worth up to $18million (£14.5m) with the Ravens.
It's a big signing for the Ravens, as if Beckham Jr can get back to his best form then they'll have a real asset in their offensive line. There's still no resolution in the Jackson saga, but a FaceTime call between the pair has suggested that he may stay at the Ravens next season.
After rejecting a contract extension with the Ravens last year, Jackson was hit with the non-exclusive franchise tag earlier this offseason. The Ravens of course want to keep Jackson as their franchise quarterback, but he's since made it clear he wants to leave and secure a bigger deal elsewhere.
Jackson rejected a five-year £208.5m ($250m) deal with the Ravens last season, a contract that would have seen him make a guaranteed £111m ($133m). Negotiations continued following the rejection, but Jackson has since requested a trade as he feels that the Ravens haven't priced him correctly.
But his bluff has been called, as so far no team has come forward with a statement offer to prise Jackson away, and the Ravens may hold onto their quarterback for longer than many expected. But with Beckham Jr now an option at wide receiver, it may change Jackson's mind about the future.
Beckham Jr also priced himself highly, seeking nearly $20m (x) a season despite his recent injury woes, which make him somewhat of a gamble. The New York Jets were heavily linked with Beckham Jr, as it's known that Aaron Rodgers is a fan of the player, but they passed up the opportunity when learning his price tag.
The Ravens have since swooped in, with their offensive line needing a boost. But if the signing also convinces Jackson to stay put, it could be incredibly valuable to the entire franchise.
Teams can still negotiate with Jackson in the mean time, but the Ravens have until July 17 to agree terms on a new extension. His mindset may have changed, and he may be more willing to accept an offer after seeing a lack of urgency across the league.
