Lamar Jackson can sign a new contract with the Baltimore Ravens this summer. Both parties are optimistic – but the negotiations could contain some unusual challenges.
In terms of sport, the team is one of the closest contenders, in 2019 the Ravens won the most games in the league, and in 2020 Baltimore made it into the divisional round.
In addition, the team addressed what is probably its greatest weakness in the spring: a lack of weapons in the passing game. With Sammy Watkins, Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace, Jackson has three new receivers at his side. With the newcomers, the Ravens want to attack again in the coming season.
But this year’s offseason is a particularly important one for Jackson and his franchise in another way.
Starting this summer, the quarterback can sign an early contract extension to his rookie contract. Given his performances over the past two years, it’s clear the Ravens are desperate to keep their superstar. However, the framework conditions are unusual, especially for a contract of the size to be expected here.
NFL: Lamar Jackson has no advisor
“Lamar and I had discussions about this,” general manager Eric DeCosta revealed. “I think it’s important for us and important for him. But Lamar is a very patient guy.” “I would love to be here forever,” says Jackson himself. “I love Baltimore, I love the whole organization.”
The quarterback has not exerted any pressure so far: “I don’t want to lie: I’m not concentrating on that,” says Jackson. “I’m focused on winning a Super Bowl.” “Lamar knows what’s important,” says head coach John Harbaugh. “Look what he has achieved so far: he will be paid and he knows it.” The contract extension with Jackson is no more than “a formality”.
However, the negotiations between the two parties are not likely to be quite as relaxed as those responsible have publicly portrayed them to be. Jackson is one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. His contract will be one of the most expensive in NFL history, that much is clear.
Another circumstance gives the negotiations a very special character: Jackson has no advisor. He conducts his contract negotiations himself, together with his mother.
Lamar Jackson: A new experience for the Ravens too
Even before the 2018 draft, many a team observed Jackson’s independent demeanor with raised eyebrows. However, the scope of the decision is now significantly greater than it was three years ago, after all, players have little leeway when negotiating their rookie contract anyway.
“He’s under a lot of pressure, the negotiations are incredibly complicated”believes NFL Network—Insider Ian Rapoport. “The stakes are incredibly high because if you get a bad deal, it could cost you $10 million or more. It’s happened before.”
But beyond the purely financial component, Jackson’s independence could lead to some unusual dynamics. When it comes to media inquiries regarding the contract, players usually refer to their agent to be able to focus on the sport. Jackson can’t do that.
In addition, the negotiations under these circumstances are also a new experience for the team. For example, should the Ravens point to Jackson’s weaknesses as a pocket passer, as they presumably would when negotiating with an agent? Or would they offend their superstar?
And: Can Jackson’s lack of experience be used in the negotiations? An unusual and complicated contract structure could potentially give the team financial benefits. At the same time, however, the franchise would also expose its most important player and strain the relationship with him. Is it worth it?
Lamar Jackson: One of the biggest contracts in NFL history
Jackson isn’t the first player in NFL history to negotiate his contract without an official advisor. DeAndre Hopkins, Bobby Wagner, Richard Sherman, and Laremy Tunsil also struck out respectable deals for themselves without an advisor—albeit with financial advisors, which Jackson may also forego.
Russell Okung, on the other hand, miscalculated badly in his 2016 negotiations. After just one year and $8 million in earnings, the Broncos released him from his five-year up to $53 million contract.
However, it is clear that these players cannot be directly compared to Jackson. Quarterbacks are by far the most important players in the NFL, and they get paid accordingly. Jackson could earn twice as much as players like Sherman, Wagner or Hopkins if signed. The height of fall is therefore significantly higher for him.
To gauge the size of Jackson’s contract, look at the recent contracts of other top young quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes has signed the largest contract in the history of the sport, worth $450 million over ten years. Dak Prescott’s new contract nets him $160 million over four years and Deshaun Watson’s $156 million over four years.
That Jackson will trump the numbers of Prescott and Watson is almost certain. Jackson was finally voted MVP just last year. An award that Prescott and Watson have not yet been able to earn.
Lamar Jackson: No contract like Patrick Mahomes?
And Mahomees? The 25-year-old is currently the biggest superstar and probably the best player in the NFL. It is unlikely that Jackson will be able to land a contract of a similar magnitude. However, not as impossible.
However, Mahomes’ contract was not only an anomaly from a financial point of view, but also from a structural point of view. Quarterbacks usually prefer shorter contracts in order to be able to benefit several times from the increase in the salary cap. Most recently, virtually all of the quarterbacks except Mahomes signed four-year contracts.
Many critics also advise against being tied to Jackson for too long. The 24-year-old’s style of play is considered injury-prone and less consistent anyway – even though quarterbacks like Watson or Russell Wilson have had to take significantly more hard hits than Jackson in recent years.
The Eagles and the Rams have both fallen flat on their noses with early contract renewals for Carson Wentz and Jared Goff, so caution is definitely warranted.
Will Lamar Jackson let Josh Allen go first?
Could Jackson himself be keen to sign as long a contract as possible to cover himself in the event of an injury? So far, no details of the negotiations between Jackson and the Ravens are known.
In any case, the 24-year-old could benefit from waiting a bit before signing a contract. With Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield, two other young quarterbacks from his draft year can sign new contracts this summer.
Jackson could wait until Allen, for example, extended, and then beat his deal. Just like teammate Marlon Humphrey did with Tre’Davious White last summer.
But even then, the balancing act between Lamar Jackson the quarterback and Lamar Jackson the advisor is a tightrope act – for both sides. Not an easy situation given the size of the contract and the associated potential risk.
At least publicly, Jackson gives no thought to such strategies. “If I’m being honest, I’m just focused on the season. I’m just focused on winning,” Jackson says. “I’m not really worried about whether we can do it this year or next year. We’ll see.”