Lamar Jackson is now free to barter a brand new contract with a group of his alternative after the Baltimore Ravens positioned their non-exclusive franchise tag on him.
Many really feel this transfer means the quarterback is on his method out of Baltimore, as each side have been far aside with regards to negotiating a brand new contract.
Jackson needs one thing on the order of $50 million per 12 months, and he needs a completely assured deal, much like what Deshaun Watson obtained a 12 months in the past shortly after being traded to the Cleveland Browns.
However within the almost three many years of NFL free company, solely as soon as has a participant obtained a group’s non-exclusive franchise tag and ended up signing with one other group.
The one occasion got here in 1998 when defensive deal with Sean Gilbert left the Washington Redskins and signed with the Carolina Panthers.
Within the 30 years of NFL free company, Sean Gilbert is the one participant to obtain the non-exclusive franchise tag, signal a suggestion sheet with one other group after which find yourself with the brand new group, per @EpKap. In 1998, Gilbert was franchise-tagged by Washington, signing a suggestion sheet with… https://t.co/mSteVF1Sf3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2023
At the moment, there may be little to no real interest in Jackson across the NFL, which is in stark distinction to Watson’s scenario a 12 months in the past when he requested the Houston Texans to commerce him, and a number of other groups have been vying for his providers.
Like Watson, Jackson is likely one of the sport’s finest dual-threat QBs, however not like Watson, who led the league in passing yards in 2020, Jackson’s manufacturing as a passer has slowed lately.
He peaked at 3,127 passing yards and 36 passing touchdowns in 2019, the 12 months he received the common season MVP award, however in 2022 he put up simply 2,242 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Some have alleged that different groups are colluding in opposition to Jackson, however the extra doubtless rationalization for the dearth of curiosity in him is just the truth that he calls for an excessive amount of cash for a participant of his caliber.
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NFL analysts word an issue with groups overtly avoiding Lamar Jackson
