As a football fan, I can’t help but be intrigued by the rumors surrounding Lamar Jackson’s potential contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens. The 24-year-old quarterback has taken the league by storm with his impressive athleticism and leadership on the field. But with his rookie contract set to expire after the 2022 season, negotiations are already underway for a new deal. Amid speculation about the details of the potential contract, it’s difficult to make sense of what Jackson’s future holds.
Introduction
Lamar Jackson is one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the NFL. He has proven to be a dynamic playmaker and a leader on and off the field. As Jackson enters his fourth season in the league, there has been plenty of speculation about his future with the Baltimore Ravens. The latest rumors suggest that Jackson could be in line for a massive contract extension that would make him one of the highest-paid players in the league. But what should we make of these rumors?
The Current Landscape
Before we dive into the rumors surrounding Lamar Jackson’s potential contract extension, let’s take a look at the current landscape of NFL quarterback contracts. At the top of the list is Patrick Mahomes, who signed a 10-year, $450 million extension with the Kansas City Chiefs last year. That deal includes $141 million in guarantees, which is the most in NFL history. Other quarterbacks who are among the highest-paid in the league include Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, and Dak Prescott.
It’s worth noting that each of these quarterbacks has a unique set of circumstances that contributed to their massive contracts. Mahomes is widely considered to be the best quarterback in the league, and the Chiefs were eager to secure him for the long term. Wilson and Watson were both coming off of impressive seasons and were seeking to be rewarded for their consistency and leadership on their respective teams. Prescott, meanwhile, was in a somewhat unique situation, as he played under the franchise tag for the Dallas Cowboys before finally agreeing to a long-term deal this offseason.
The Rumors
So where does Lamar Jackson fit into this picture? According to recent reports, negotiations between Jackson and the Ravens have been ongoing for several months. Some reports have suggested that Jackson is seeking a deal that would make him the highest-paid quarterback in the league, while others have indicated that he may be willing to take a slightly smaller contract in order to ensure that the team can continue to build around him.
As with any contract negotiation in the NFL, there are a lot of moving parts to consider. Some of the factors that could impact Jackson’s potential contract include his overall performance on the field, his leadership abilities, and the team’s long-term goals. Additionally, there may be financial considerations, such as the salary cap, that could impact the size and structure of the deal.
What Will the Contract Look Like?
Given the current landscape of quarterback contracts and Jackson’s unique skill set and situation, it’s difficult to predict exactly what his extension will look like. However, there are a few factors that could give us a sense of what to expect.
First and foremost, the Ravens are likely to prioritize building around Jackson and ensuring that they can put a competitive team on the field. This means that they may be hesitant to commit too much money to any one player, including Jackson. However, given Jackson’s incredible talent and potential, it’s also possible that they will view him as a cornerstone of their franchise and be willing to invest accordingly.
Another factor to consider is the impact of COVID-19 on the league’s finances. Many teams are still feeling the effects of last year’s reduced revenue, and it’s unclear when the league will fully recover. This could impact the salary cap in the short term, which could in turn impact Jackson’s contract negotiations.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the Lamar Jackson contract rumors are just that: rumors. Until a deal is officially announced, it’s impossible to know exactly what terms Jackson and the Ravens will agree to. However, we can make some educated guesses based on the current state of the league and Jackson’s position within it.
Regardless of the specifics of the deal, one thing is clear: Lamar Jackson is a special player who has already accomplished a great deal in his young career. If the Ravens can secure him for the long term, they will have a cornerstone player who can lead them to great things in the years to come. It will be interesting to see how negotiations play out and what the future holds for both Jackson and the Ravens.
