The world’s biggest game of chicken continues during this offseason as Lamar Jackson and the Ravens continue to try and work out a deal for a longterm extension. Baltimore needs to make something work, or risk Jackson sitting out if he were displeased with getting franchise tagged with his current deal expiring.
The two sides were unable to come to an agreement last offseason and a new report may show why. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, all of Jackson’s counter offers to the team last year were for fully guaranteed contracts that exceeded the contract Deshaun Watson signed with the Browns.
In March 2022, Watson signed with Cleveland for five-years with his new deal being worth $230 million in guaranteed money. It’s the most guaranteed money in the NFL.
According to ESPN, the Ravens are balking at guaranteeing his full deal. They offered Jackson a five-year, $250 million contract in September that included $133 million guaranteed but the quarterback turned it down.
The 26-year-old is one of the most electrifying players in the league and finished 2022 with 2,242 passing yards, 764 rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns. The down year for Jackson is due to the fact that he missed five games because of a left knee injury.
If the two sides can’t agree on a deal by the start of next season, Jackson may have played his last down as a Raven.
