OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta made clear that “nothing has changed” in regards to his previously stated intention to keep 2019 NFL MVP and Pro Bowl quarterback Lamar Jackson for “many, many years.”
But contract talks are complicated, beginning with the absence of a certified agent representing Jackson.
“This is an unusual negotiation because I’ve been dealing with a player, and I would never divulge a conversation with a player,” DeCosta said. “For me to talk about it in specifics would be prohibitive. What I can say is that Lamar and I have had probably, I don’t know, five or six conversations at different points over the last year in regard to his contract. We picked up his option. At this point, I would say that we’re working at Lamar’s pace. He’s comfortable where we are right now.
“I think he feels that we have a lot of unfinished business; he has a lot of unfinished business. He wants to win the division. He wants to win the Super Bowl. I think he and I both share that same vision, so that’s basically where we stand.”
Of course, what happens on the football field isn’t the same as actual “business” with Jackson scheduled to make $23.1 million on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. That’s a dramatic step up from the total of just under $9.5 million he earned over his first four seasons, but his 2022 salary still pales in comparison to his long-term earning potential that will impact him and his family for generations.
DeCosta said the two maintain a “great line of communication” and even spoke this past week, but the urgency for a new contract will only grow with Jackson’s scheduled free agency just over 13 months away. This past season illustrated the risks of waiting as Jackson sustained a bone bruise in his right ankle that ended his season in Week 14. And despite a fast start that included his sensational four-touchdown performance in the comeback win over Indianapolis, the 25-year-old also threw a career-worst 13 interceptions, was sacked a career-high 38 times in 12 games, and posted a 73.5 passer rating after that heroic effort in Week 5.
While Jackson’s 50.8 QBR ranked 17th in the NFL and Pro Football Focus graded him 24th among qualified quarterbacks, DeCosta cited the appropriate nuance to evaluate a campaign in which he led Baltimore in rushing for a third straight year. And it’s not exactly a secret that the Ravens didn’t win again after losing their star quarterback in December.
“Lamar’s a Pro Bowl quarterback. He played some brilliant football this year, and we had some struggles,” DeCosta said. “Certainly, as a group, when you consider the turmoil that we had on the offensive line [and] at the running back position, that’s a factor. Lamar’s health this year, he had some issues. He was sick, he hurt his foot, and all of those different things. We had a lot of different injuries, a lot of different things that we dealt with. I think there’s a lot of upside with our offense; Lamar’s a big part of that.
“He’s the right person to do it. He’s a leader. He’s beloved. He’s a phenomenally talented player, and he makes us better.”
While a long-term extension could clear several million dollars on the Ravens’ 2022 salary cap, DeCosta expressed no specific urgency to get it done ahead of the start of free agency next month. After all, Jackson currently ranks just 12th in terms of average annual value and cash spent for quarterbacks for the 2022 season.
That’s why the Ravens are fine with working at his pace.
“We have the cap room. We’ll have more cap room at the beginning of the new league year,” DeCosta said. “We’ll be flexible. We’ll have an ability to make some moves. We can certainly take on that amount. Based on who Lamar is and what he has to offer, that’s not a huge ticket for a quarterback of that ability and of that personality and what he brings to the table for the team.”
NOTES: In regards to the status of three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters and his scheduled $10 million salary entering the final year of his contract, DeCosta said, “I would expect Marcus to be here. I think he’s doing his rehab. I think he’s doing extremely well, and I can’t wait to see him.” … DeCosta expects the Ravens to exercise the fifth-year option for 2019 first-round wide receiver Marquise Brown, which is currently projected to be just shy of $13 million for 2023. … Asked about troubled wide receiver Antonio Brown’s expressed interest in the Ravens in recent weeks, DeCosta said without mentioning him by name, “I’m very comfortable where we are at the receiver position.” … Over 17 months after former Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas was released for conduct that “adversely affected” the Ravens, his grievance is still an “ongoing” situation, according to DeCosta.
