Lamar Jackson: Too Pricey For Patriots?

Is the cost of a deal for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson too high for the New England Patriots?

The rumors connecting the New England Patriots to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson may ultimately be short-lived.

Just one day removed from Pats team owner Robert Kraft sent the fanbase into a frenzy, a report from Boston Sports Journal indicates that the Patriots are not likely to pursue a deal for Jackson’s services, whether by signing or trade.

As such, the seas of speculation seem to have been calmed — for the time being.

New England’s interest in acquiring the former NFL MVP had been, at best, tepid during the initial wave of free agency. However, rumors and interest once again began to swell after Kraft revealed that he had received a text from rapper Meek Mill “about three or four days ago” claiming that the former first-round Draft pick wanted to join the Patriots.

While Jackson remains one of the most dynamic talents on a pro football field, the overall cost of his acquisition appears to be the sticking point for the Patriots. Not only would New England be forced to surrender two first-round draft picks to the Ravens, they would also be negotiating what many project to be one of the most lucrative contracts in the NFL.

With just north of $12.9 million in available salary cap space, New England would need to act quickly to create the necessary room to even consider bringing Jackson aboard. During a recent appearance on the Locked On Patriots Podcast, Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan indicates that shedding some of the team’s most highly-compensated players would be the fastest way to achieve such a goal, specifically mentioning offensive lineman Trent Brown, tight end Hunter Henry, wide receiver DeVante Parker and defensive end Deatrich Wise.

Listen/Watch Benzan’s full appearance here:

While such moves would create sufficient availability under the cap, Jackson’s desire to join a team forced to jettison two of their best pass catchers, the top option at offensive tackle and a key member of their pass rush, may be compromised in the process.

As an alternative to making such drastic roster cuts, Benzan also suggested that the Pats could restructure the deals of such high-earning players as linebacker Matthew Judon, defensive lineman Davon Godchaux, safety Adrian Phillips, and center David Andrews by converting most of their 2023 scheduled compensation into a signing bonus, while adding four voidable years. Though the Patriots have added void years to contracts in the past, doing so with several big-money contracts could create salary cap peril for the foreseeable future.

Lastly — and perhaps most importantly — there is the conundrum of guaranteed money.

By all indications, Jackson is seeking a long-term, top-market deal which could earn him the highest annual value earning in the NFL. He is also requesting that most of the total value of the contract be guaranteed, similar to the deal reached between the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Deshaun Watson in the 2022 offseason. Not only would Jackson demand contractual longevity, but also would look to comfortably exceed the $32.4 million value of his non-exclusive franchise tag.

With a short-term, more team-friendly deal seemingly off the table, New England is understandably reluctant to make such financial commitments for a player who has missed more than five games in each of his last two seasons.

“The Patriots just don’t [typically] do this,” Benzan said.

Jackson, of course, remains embroiled in a contract dispute with Baltimore, leading many to believe that he may have played his final down as a Raven.

Whether his next down is to be played in Foxboro is still a possibility. However, it appears to be looking less likely with each passing day. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots

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