Calais Campbell: Ravens Need to Keep Lamar Jackson At Any Cost

Calais Campbell has lobbied several times this offseason for the Ravens to reach a new deal with quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Calais Campbell has lobbied several times this offseason for the Ravens to reach a new deal with quarterback Lamar Jackson.

He reiterated that stance on the NFL's biggest stage — Super Bowl LVII. 

"[Jackson] needs to stay in Baltimore," Campbell said on NFL GameDay Morning prior to the game between the Eagles and Chiefs. "He can't go anywhere else. He should play his whole career in Baltimore." 

Jackson is a free agent after the season and the Ravens will likely apply the exclusive franchise tag on him for 2023, which will cost about $45 million. However, general manager Eric DeCosta said he would have to talk with owner Steve Bisciotti before any decision is made with the tag. 

Jackson likely wants a deal similar to Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who landed a five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns, including a $44.97 million signing bonus, $230 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $46 million.

The guaranteed money appears to be the sticking point.

After the season, Campbell said the Ravens should give Jackson his desired deal because he's irreplaceable. Campbell, 36, confirmed that he also wants to play at least one more season. 

"You can’t let a guy like him go," Campbell said. "I know it’s football and there’s always some new exciting toy, a new exciting kid that has potential to go out there and be great, but this is a for sure, a known. You know Lamar Jackson is an incredible player. I think it’s in the best interest of the Ravens organization to give him a long-term contract and make him our guy. I know the front office is feeling the same thing. They’re smart guys

"Lamar Jackson is a star. He deserves to be paid like it and deserves the opportunity to lead his teams to hopefully multiple championships. As long as he’s on the field, you know your team has a chance.”

Jackson was the unanimous NFL MVP in 2019 but he's only won one playoff game over his career. He's also missed 10 regular season games and one postseason matchup over the past two years.

Nonetheless, Campbell thinks Jackson's best days are ahead of him and he should continue to play with the Ravens. 

"The man is a legend, he carries himself like a professional," Campbell said. "He's maturing and growing and I love playing for him. When we are on the football field, we know when Lamar Jackson back there at quarterback we believe we can beat anybody. We can't just put anybody back there and expect to be a great football team."

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