Ravens Likely to Use Franchise Tag on Lamar Jackson if Long-Term Deal Isn’t Signed, per Report

Baltimore reportedly will use the tag if a contract isn’t agreed upon by Tuesday.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and general manager Eric DeCosta recently met in Miami to discuss a potential long-term deal between the two parties, but they were once again unable to find common ground. Now, the team is expected to place the franchise tag on him Tuesday, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. 

Placing the franchise tag on Jackson would mean the two sides were unable to meet in the middle after two offseasons of discussions. 

Baltimore could place either the exclusive or non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson. The exclusive tag would guarantee Jackson can’t negotiate with other teams and would pay him roughly $45 million in 2023, per NFL Network. If the Ravens use the non-exclusive tag, it will cost the team $32.4 million next year, and both sides will have until July 17 to reach a deal. 

It was previously reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler in February that all of Jackson’s counter-offers to the team last year sought a fully guaranteed contract that exceeded the pact Deshaun Watson signed with the Browns. In March 2022, Watson signed with Cleveland for five years on a deal worth $230 million guaranteed. It’s the most guaranteed money ever for an NFL contract.

Per Fowler, the team balked at the guaranteed figure and instead offered Jackson a five-year, $250 million contract in September which included $133 million guaranteed, but the quarterback turned it down. Jackson doesn’t have an agent and has represented himself in negotiations. 

Shortly after Fowler’s report came out, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said Jackson’s camp told him the quarterback was not demanding a totally guaranteed deal.

“I was connected to Lamar Jackson’s camp yesterday, and I was absolutely emphatically ensured that Lamar Jackson has never asked for a fully guaranteed deal,” Smith said on First Take in February.

Jackson has been adamant about not sharing the details of negotiations, but no mater what was offered or counter-offered, it appears little progress has been made.