Why Bengals fans should pay attention to Lamar Jackson’s contract situation with Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens and their star quarterback Lamar Jackson were hoping to have a contract extension in place before the season started.
While it’s unclear what Jackson is asking for, it’s obvious he wants more than what the Ravens have offered so far. Jackson, who represents himself, has cut off negotiations for the rest of the year to focus on the season.
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This conversation will pick right back up the minute the 2022 season ends. And it’s one Bengals fans should be paying attention to.
What happens with Jackson and the Ravens will directly impact Burrow’s negotiations with Bengals when they begin. Burrow, his representation and Cincinnati’s front office are eligible to begin contract extension talks in the upcoming offseason.
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Lamar Jackson's contract situation with the Baltimore Ravens
Jackson and the Ravens’ situation is a unique one for several reasons. He’s become one of the league’s most dynamic players, he’s won an NFL MVP and the entire offense is orchestrated around him.
It’s a fair question to ask: What would the Ravens be without Jackson?
All these things play into his favor in negotiations with the Ravens. But on the other hand, Jackson has only won one playoff game since he was drafted. Baltimore has made the playoffs three out of the four years he’s been their starting quarterback.
Joe Burrow's contract situation with the Cincinnati Bengals
Burrow, in less time, has won an AFC Championship and took his team to Super Bowl 56. Whatever Jackson gets, why would Burrow accept anything less?
The most recent quarterback who received an extension was Kyler Murray. The Arizona Cardinals gave Murray a five-year extension worth $250 million and $160 million of it is guaranteed. Both Jackson and Burrow will get more than that.
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Jackson hasn’t come out and said what he wants. But there’s plenty of rumors swirling around that he wants a fully guaranteed contract like the one the Browns gave Deshaun Watson. Cleveland gave Watson the first-ever fully guaranteed contract for a quarterback. Watson cashed in and will receive $230 million guaranteed from his new five-year deal.
Without Jackson publicly commenting on the matter, it’s hard to gauge what exactly he’s looking for from the Ravens. Baltimore’s owner Steve Bisciotti has publicly stated his displeasure for what the Browns gave Watson because of how it will impact the rest of the NFL.
“I don’t know that he should’ve been the first guy to get a fully guaranteed contract. To me, that’s something that is groundbreaking, and it’ll make negotiations harder with others,” Bisciotti said in March at the league meetings.
If the Ravens and Jackson again can’t come to an agreement after the season, the team can franchise tag Jackson to allow even more time to work out the details of his extension.
Joe Burrow a fan of Lamar Jackson
Regardless of what route the Ravens take, they’re going to pay Jackson. And that will directly impact Burrow’s contract.
Burrow said heading into the season, he’s not focused on his contract situation. Cincinnati’s franchise quarterback even went as far as to say if he doesn’t perform up to the level he can, it won’t matter.
So, has Burrow been following the Jackson-Ravens contract saga knowing the implications it could have on his future deal?
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"I have not paid attention to the contract, but I love watching him play,” Burrow said.
As mentioned earlier, Jackson’s dual-threat ability as a quarterback is unique. There is not a player like him in the current NFL. The last player the league has seen who resembles Jackson’s skill set was Michael Vick in his prime. Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray are like that to some degree in the way they can move out of the pocket, but it’s no where near close to what Jackson can do.
In four seasons and four games into this year, Jackson has thrown 928 passes for 10,860 yards and 95 touchdowns. He’s added 652 carries for 3,989 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground.
Lamar Jackson's play speaks for itself
“It feels like every couple of minutes he makes a play that makes your jaw drop,” Burrow said of Jackson. “You look at the defense, like, 'what are we supposed to do with that guy?' I think he's really improved throwing the football down the field. He's one of the premier players in our league that I love watching, because I can't do everything that he can do. When you have a guy like that I think it's good for the league. You have people like me that win in a certain way and then you have guys like him and (Patrick) Mahomes and Josh (Allen) that win in a different way (and) it's just a great time for the league to have players like that. Quarterbacks that have such varying skill sets that every game you watch them is a little different. I think that's great for the league."
No one knows how things will shake out between the Ravens and Jackson. If Baltimore goes on a Super Bowl run like the Bengals did in 2021, Baltimore might have no choice but to give their quarterback what he’s asking for.
And the Bengals and Burrow will certainly be watching.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How Lamar Jackson’s contract situation affects Bengals, Joe Burrow
