2023-04-16 11:20:00
The Baltimore Ravens have paired Lamar Jackson with a top receiver in Odell Beckham Jr. But the quarterback apparently wanted more!
As the former NFL player, assistant coach and official Michael Lombardi revealed in his podcast, Jackson is said to have demanded a commitment from DeAndre Hopkins in addition to OBJ following the collapsed contract negotiations. According to the motto: “Then we can talk.”
Hopkins is currently under contract with the Arizona Cardinals, and the 30-year-old was considered a top candidate for a trade for weeks. So far, however, there has been no change. Not to the Ravens either because, according to Lombardi, the team can only afford one of the two receivers, which Jackson was probably told. In the end it became Beckham.
One-year deal for Odell Beckham Jr.
He was signed as a free agent and given a one-year deal that might net him up to $18 million with a $15 million guarantee.
The background of it all: Jackson and the Ravens did not agree on a new long-term contract during tough and lengthy negotiations, instead Jackson was given the Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag. The playmaker then publicly demanded a trade, but apparently there were no offers from other teams.
It is unclear to what extent the OBJ obligation will bring movement back to Jackson’s personnel. Until July 17, both parties can agree on a contract extension or Jackson can switch to another team. After that he has to stay in Baltimore for another season, which he might theoretically sit out.
Lamar Jackson: future still unclear
At his introduction, Beckham made it clear that he also came to the Ravens because of Jackson, both of whom had celebrated the deal together. OBJ even addressed Jackson directly at the press conference. “Lamar, if you’re watching, I’d love to work with you.” The coming weeks will show whether this will happen.
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