Charles Barkley: Lamar Jackson Is ‘Playing With Fire’ With Contract

The NBA analyst had thoughts about the Ravens quarterback’s ongoing contract saga.

After Jalen Hurts signed a record-breaking five-year, $255 million contract extension with the Eagles to become the highest-paid player in NFL history earlier this week, reports regarding the Ravens’ contract extension offer to Lamar Jackson began to come to light.

Based on Baltimore’s reported offer to Jackson last August, there are indications that the potential deal was better than the one Hurts received from the Eagles.

Barkley joined ESPN Cleveland 850 AM on Tuesday and was asked about the contract saga between Jackson and the Ravens and whether or not Barkley had any advice to the Baltimore quarterback as a former athlete himself.

“Lamar, you’re playing with fire brother,” Barkley said regarding Jackson’s contract demands. “You’re going to get burnt. These dudes, they’re all billionaires. They’re not going to let you screw up their business model. You’ve got to take the best deal. It’s not even about Lamar. I know what they’re saying behind the scenes. They’re like ‘Yo man, if you give this guy guaranteed money I’m going to have to give Herbert guaranteed money, I’m going to have to give Burrow guaranteed money … we can’t give all these guys guaranteed money.”

There is no indication that Jackson and the Ravens are any closer to a long-term contract, and as such, the quarterback is scheduled to play on the non-exclusive franchise tag in the fall. Baltimore placed the tag on Jackson prior to the start of free agency, which allowed other teams to contact the quarterback, but gave the Ravens an opportunity to match any offer sheets from opposing teams. If Jackson elected to sign with another team and the Ravens let him walk, Baltimore would receive two first-round picks as compensation. In late March, Jackson also confirmed that he’s requested a trade, as the standoff between the two sides continues.

If Jackson remains on the Baltimore roster this upcoming season, he is scheduled to make $32.4 million.