Lamar Jackson, Ravens QB, requests commerce amid contract standoff
The notion that the wedding between the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson would final at the least an extra 12 months took a significant hit Monday when the quarterback revealed in a Twitter thread addressed to his followers that he requested a commerce greater than three weeks in the past.
Jackson mentioned his ask got here on March 2, 5 days earlier than the group placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on him, permitting the 2019 NFL MVP to barter with the league’s 31 different groups whereas giving Baltimore an opportunity to match any supply sheet signed.
“The Ravens (have) not been involved in assembly my worth,” Jackson wrote of his ongoing negotiations with the group for a contract extension, which has lasted greater than two years.
“Any and everybody that’s (sic) has met me or been round me know I like the sport of soccer and my dream is to assist a group win the tremendous bowl,” Jackson wrote in his message.
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All through the offseason, Ravens basic supervisor Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh have acknowledged signing Jackson to a long-term extension is their high precedence.
In his message, Jackson thanked Ravens followers in what amounted to a farewell.
“You all are nice however I needed to make a enterprise choice that was finest for my household and I,” Jackson mentioned. “Irrespective of how far I’m going or the place my profession takes me, I’ll proceed to be near my followers of Baltimore Flock nation and the complete State of Maryland. You’ll See me once more.”
Whereas talking on the league’s homeowners conferences in Phoenix, Harbaugh mentioned he had not seen Jackson’s tweets and that he nonetheless anticipated the 26-year-old to be Baltimore’s starter Week 1.
“Lamar’s dealt with it with class,” Harbaugh mentioned.
Ought to Jackson and the Ravens’ state of affairs stay unresolved with the 2 sides unable to work out a contract or a commerce – studies earlier this month mentioned a number of groups will not be at the moment involved in Jackson – Jackson might choose to not play subsequent season with out incurring any fines since he has not signed his franchise tender.
If Jackson indicators the tender, he would obtain a $32.41 million wage for the 2023 season. Baltimore has till July 17 to succeed in a multiyear contract extension with the quarterback.
Final week, the NFL administration council despatched a memo to group executives and contract negotiators that the NFL Gamers Affiliation knowledgeable the league that an individual named Ken Francis was contacting groups on Jackson’s behalf regardless of not being an NFLPA licensed agent. Jackson disputed that report, saying “cease mendacity that man by no means tried to barter for me.”
Jackson took over the beginning quarterback job from Joe Flacco in 2018, the 12 months Baltimore chosen the Heisman Trophy winner No. 32 total, and the Ravens have gone 45-16 with him as a starter. Accidents have prevented Jackson from taking part in down the stretch in every of the final two seasons. Within the 2022 marketing campaign, a knee damage prompted him to miss the ultimate 5 regular-season contests in addition to Baltimore’s wild-card spherical loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
