There are now even more uncertainties regarding Lamar Jackson’s future as a quarterback after the NFL franchise tag deadline passed at 4 p.m. EST on Tuesday.
Just before the deadline, Baltimore declared that Jackson had been given a non-exclusive franchise. Jackson is the player the Ravens want to lead the way for “many years to come,” according to general manager Eric DeCosta, who said that the club expects to reach a “long-term agreement” with him.
Jackson has a $32.4 million deal through 2023, but he is free to talk to other NFL clubs as Baltimore is willing to match any contract offer. Baltimore will gain two first-round draught selections if Jackson accepts a deal with another club and the organisation decides not to match the offer.
Jackson and the Ravens have been unable to come to terms on a contract extension since last summer, when they couldn’t agree on a deal before the 2022 season. Yet unable to agree on anything, rumours about who would sign the 2019 NFL MVP have unavoidably become rife.
It’s “extremely improbable” that the Raiders attempt to sign Jackson, according to The Las Vegas Review-Journal. According to ESPN, the Washington Commanders are “not likely” to pursue Jackson while the Miami Dolphins are staying with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Carolina Panthers aren’t anticipated to play in the Jackson area either, according to The Athletic.
The Atlanta Falcons aren’t in the running to sign Jackson, according to reports from ESPN and The Athletic that came out just after Baltimore revealed that it had tagged Jackson.
Due to injuries, Jackson, 26, has only played in 12 games over the last two seasons. Due to a knee injury this past season, he missed six games (both regular season and playoffs) and did not accompany the club to its AFC wild-card round clash against the Cincinnati Bengals, which fueled public discussion about his continuing contract talks with the Ravens.
Jackson concluded the 2022 season with 2,242 passing yards, 17 touchdown passes, seven interceptions, and a 91.1 passer rating while completing 62.3% of his throws. Also, he rushed for 764 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson started eight of Baltimore’s games, and the team finished 8-4.
In 2019, he received universal praise as the league’s MVP.
The amount of clubs who apparently had little interest in signing Jackson attracted criticism from throughout the NFL, even from the recently retired J.J. Watt.
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