Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens have gone almost the complete 2022 season and have but to return to an settlement on a contract extension. We knew this could be the case getting into the season, however now we’re going to search out out the place loyalties lay in a worst-case state of affairs. Jackson went down with a knee harm throughout Baltimore’s Week 13 win over Denver. He left that recreation within the first quarter, and since then, this Ravens offense has sputtered alongside, falling out of first place within the AFC North, even when solely briefly.
The dynamic attributes Jackson brings to the desk are much more evident when he’s not taking snaps for Baltimore. When Jackson is on the sphere, the Ravens’ offense ranks within the prime third of groups throughout the league. When he’s out, they’re within the decrease third of groups. Sure, that’s one of the vital apparent stats ever, however that also received’t be sufficient proof for Baltimore to go forward and pay the person.
We see it time and time once more in participant/crew negotiations. Any and every part that can be utilized towards mentioned participant to drive down his worth will likely be used towards them. It’s just like the unstated Miranda rights of NFL contracts: Anything you say (or do) can and will likely be used towards you in these negotiations.
This is what Jackson will take care of as soon as he and the Ravens return to the desk within the offseason to work on a brand new deal. His late-season harm will grow to be a degree of competition as a result of he missed important time. In the NFL, lacking one recreation is taken into account an excessive amount of, and Jackson has already been inactive in two consecutive video games and missed most of a 3rd.
Baltimore is 1-1 since Jackson left the lineup, and did get the victory within the recreation wherein he was injured. Most of that credit score is attributed to the protection for maintaining them in video games, going above and past to drag out victories. On Saturday towards division rival Cleveland, Baltimore’s protection held the Browns to 13 factors. Unfortunately, the Ravens’ offense managed simply three factors on this recreation.
After a efficiency like this, Baltimore Ravens proprietor Steve Bisciotti must be dashing to increase the previous league MVP and maintain him with the franchise so long as doable. But it received’t occur that simply as a result of it will’ve occurred already if that was the case. Jackson needs a completely assured contract, and that’s the place the Ravens have reportedly drawn the road. And now, with Jackson’s newest harm, the chance of getting the deal he needs in Baltimore appears much less possible every day he’s out.
Jackson sat out of 5 video games final season with an harm, and now he’s missed two in a row and can seemingly miss a 3rd. The Ravens are in a battle for the AFC North lead with the Bengals that might come right down to the ultimate recreation of the 12 months in Week 18 at Cincinnati. Luckily for Baltimore, they’ve acquired a win over Cincy already this 12 months, but when they will’t maintain tempo over the following couple of weeks, this one may very well be the distinction in getting a house playoff recreation or occurring the street out the gates.
Ravens’ administration claims they know what they’ve in Lamar, as they at all times communicate extremely of him publicly, particularly each time head coach John Harbaugh is on the podium. But the best way you present what he actually means is to pay him what he’s price. If he thinks he’s price $200+ million assured, then that’s what it takes.
There’s just one actual query the Ravens must ask themselves in coping with this matter. Who is out there that is the same as or higher than Jackson in the marketplace? The reply to that’s no person. You’d higher imagine that if Jackson have been ever to hit the open market in his prime, there’d be 20 groups lined as much as take a crack at touchdown the gutsy playmaker.