Ravens GM Explains Challenge in Re-Signing QB Lamar Jackson

Baltimore’s quarterback reportedly turned down an offer in September due to a disagreement over guaranteed money.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson has been the face of the Ravens for five years now.

Despite a handful of injuries and a revolving door of pieces around him, Jackson has led Baltimore to four playoff appearances while registering some of the most productive rushing seasons by a quarterback in league history. However, contract talks between the 2019 MVP and the Ravens have grounded to a halt.

Discussing negotiations between Baltimore and Jackson, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta outlined the precise difficulty of contract talks from the team's perspective, complicated by the fact that Jackson represents himself.

“Well you have a lot of regard for the player, first and foremost,” DeCosta said. “I think when you deal with an agent, sometimes you’re able to speak very freely, position yourself a certain way. You have different arguments that you can use that maybe you wouldn’t say to a player. So, I think that’s part of it.”

Reading through the lines, that could be interpreted to mean the Ravens are being cautious not to lowball and insult their quarterback during negotiations with him, which has perhaps slowed down the process.

Jackson reportedly turned down a five-year, $250 million offer from Baltimore in September on the grounds that it included only $133 million guaranteed, $97 million less than the amount guaranteed to Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson last March.