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Though Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens have stored particulars of their contract negotiations personal, the star quarterback turned down a six-year provide price over $290 million with $133 million assured at signing, sources instructed ESPN.
The Ravens’ proposal would have paid Jackson a better common wage and more cash assured at signing than the offers signed this summer time by Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, in keeping with sources.
However sources instructed ESPN that the Ravens additionally balked at Jackson’s want for a deal that was absolutely assured at signing, just like Deshaun Watson‘s, prompting the perimeters to announce Friday that that they had tabled contract talks till after the 2022 season.
Wilson signed a $242.5 million deal earlier this month that averaged $48.5 million yearly and included $161 million assured, about six weeks after Murray received a $230.5 million deal that averaged $46 million per 12 months and included $189.5 million assured.
However the problem for Jackson wasn’t Wilson’s deal or Murray’s a lot because it was Watson’s, in keeping with sources. The Browns signed Watson to a $230 million contract that was absolutely assured at signing. The Ravens’ provide of $133 million absolutely assured at signing was greater than each Wilson ($124 million) and Murray ($103.3 million) however properly wanting Watson’s.
The Ravens additionally made a suggestion to Jackson earlier within the week that league sources consider was price about $250 million, however the former league MVP declined that proposal as properly.
Jackson acted as his personal agent within the negotiations whereas leaning on the assistance of his mom and the NFL Gamers Affiliation, whose job it’s to supply stats, info, steerage and to be a sounding board, which it was throughout this course of.
The union suggested Jackson, 25, that based mostly on his efficiency and age, he was justified to demand a completely assured contract if that is what he wished, sources mentioned.
Union sources framed the Ravens’ talks with Jackson as “good religion,” though the workforce included $2.5 million in annual de-escalator clauses if Jackson didn’t attend a excessive proportion of offseason exercises.
Jackson will make $23.016 million in his fifth-year possibility however has no assured cash after this season. The previous league MVP hopes to land an extension after this season with the Ravens, who’re anticipated to use their franchise tag on Jackson and forestall him from hitting true free company if the perimeters nonetheless are unable to achieve a deal.
Jackson is making the largest wager in soccer on himself, just like what former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco — who’s beginning in opposition to Baltimore on Sunday for the Jets — did within the 2012 season, when his deal was set to run out and he led Baltimore to a Tremendous Bowl title earlier than turning into one of many highest-paid gamers within the NFL.
Jackson, who has taken extra hits (737) than another quarterback since 2018, was requested final week whether or not he feels it is a danger to play with no assured cash past this season.
“It was a fairly large danger final season. The 12 months earlier than,” Jackson mentioned Wednesday. “I am simply enjoying soccer. Something can occur. God forbid the mistaken factor occurs.”
Jackson has proved to be one of many NFL’s high playmakers and winners over the previous 4 seasons. Since he turned the Ravens’ starter halfway by means of the 2018 season, Baltimore is 37-12 (.755) with him and 2-5 (.286) with out him. He was the unanimous NFL MVP in 2019.
However Jackson is coming off his most difficult season in 2021, when he threw a career-worst 13 interceptions and missed a career-high 5 video games, together with the final 4 due to an ankle damage.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley contributed to this report.