Lamar Jackson causes issues for the Ravens when they talk about his quarterback deal.

Lamar Jackson, the electrifying quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, has certainly made his mark in the NFL with his unique combination of athleticism, arm strength, and playmaking ability. However, his contract situation has sparked a great deal of controversy and uncertainty, both within the Ravens’ organization and across the league. This situation has not only been a source of tension between Jackson and the team, but it also brings into focus larger questions about the value of dual-threat quarterbacks in the modern NFL and how teams should approach contract negotiations for such players.

The Rise of Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, 32nd overall, a pick that seemed to fly under the radar given Jackson’s success in college at Louisville. His combination of speed, quickness, and arm strength led to an incredibly successful college career, and he won the Heisman Trophy in 2016. However, despite his potential, Jackson fell to the 32nd pick, primarily due to doubts about his ability to transition into a professional quarterback in a league that traditionally favored pocket passers.

Jackson’s arrival in Baltimore was met with optimism, but no one could have predicted just how quickly he would become the centerpiece of the Ravens’ offense. In his second season, Jackson revolutionized the way the quarterback position was viewed, leading the NFL in touchdown passes and rushing yards, making him the youngest player ever to win the MVP award. His 2019 season was one of the most impressive in NFL history, as he led the Ravens to a 14-2 record and was lauded for his ability to dominate both in the air and on the ground.

The Ravens’ offense under Jackson became one of the most dangerous in the NFL, built around a run-heavy, option-based scheme that took advantage of his rushing ability while still incorporating his deep ball accuracy. His unique skill set allowed the Ravens to dominate in the regular season, though postseason success remained elusive, as the Ravens struggled to translate their regular-season success into playoff victories.

The Contract Negotiation Controversy

With Jackson’s remarkable playmaking ability, it was inevitable that contract discussions would soon follow. As his rookie deal came to a close after the 2021 season, Jackson was set to become one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league, and both the Ravens and Jackson’s camp knew that his next contract would be a defining moment for both the player and the team.

However, this is where the tension began. Jackson, who had become known for representing himself in contract negotiations, found himself in a standoff with the Ravens. While many high-profile quarterbacks, like Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, signed lucrative deals with the involvement of agents and other intermediaries, Jackson was determined to negotiate on his own behalf, a move that complicated matters further.

The lack of a traditional agent was one of the first sources of friction. Without an agent, Jackson was forced to negotiate directly with Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta and the team’s front office. The situation was exacerbated by the fact that Jackson’s unique skill set, which blends elite rushing ability with strong passing mechanics, made him an outlier when it came to contract negotiations.

At the heart of the dispute was a fundamental disagreement about Jackson’s value relative to the league’s other elite quarterbacks. On one side, the Ravens saw Jackson as an incredibly valuable player who could be the face of their franchise for years to come, but they also recognized that his style of play posed certain risks. Jackson’s dual-threat ability was something the Ravens had built their offense around, but it also meant that his career could be shorter than that of a traditional pocket passer due to the wear and tear on his body.

On the other side, Jackson and his camp viewed his dual-threat ability as a major advantage that should be compensated accordingly. Jackson’s argument was that his ability to run the ball at a high level and lead an offense that was built around his unique skill set should be recognized in his contract, despite the fact that quarterbacks who rely on their legs tend to have shorter careers than those who rely primarily on their arm.

The Roster Construction Dilemma

One of the underlying issues in the Lamar Jackson contract saga was the structure of the Ravens’ roster. While the team had surrounded Jackson with strong offensive linemen and a solid running game, they had often been criticized for failing to provide him with top-tier receiving options. Unlike other elite quarterbacks, who were often paired with star wide receivers or elite tight ends, Jackson had to make do with a supporting cast that wasn’t always up to par with the league’s best offenses.

This lack of high-end pass-catching talent created tension between Jackson and the Ravens, as Jackson’s camp argued that he should be compensated as a top-tier quarterback, even if the team hadn’t fully surrounded him with the weapons needed to be successful in the traditional sense. In other words, while Jackson was a dynamic and playmaking quarterback, his potential was limited by the fact that he was working with a less-than-ideal receiving corps.

The Ravens, however, maintained that their offensive system was designed around Jackson’s unique skill set and that the lack of top-tier receivers wasn’t necessarily a deal-breaker. In fact, Baltimore often took a more conservative approach to building their offense, relying on a strong running game and a defense that could complement Jackson’s ability to control the game with his legs.

The Franchise Tag and Its Impact

As the 2022 offseason approached, Jackson’s contract situation reached a boiling point. With no long-term deal in place, the Ravens were forced to make a decision on whether to use the franchise tag to keep Jackson under contract for another year. This decision was fraught with complications. While the franchise tag would have provided Jackson with a one-year salary worth roughly $30 million, it would have also signaled that the Ravens were unwilling to fully commit to him with a long-term deal.

The franchise tag is a powerful negotiating tool, but it’s often viewed as a temporary solution, as it ties a player to a team for only one more season while denying them the security of a long-term contract. For Jackson, the franchise tag would have represented a major obstacle, as it would have prevented him from negotiating a long-term contract that could provide him with financial stability.

The use of the franchise tag also highlighted the disparity between the Ravens and Jackson’s camp when it came to the value of a quarterback in the modern NFL. The Ravens, while acknowledging Jackson’s talent, still seemed hesitant to offer a long-term deal that would make him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league, possibly due to concerns over his longevity and the risks associated with his playing style.

The Bigger Picture: Changing Perceptions of Dual-Threat Quarterbacks

Lamar Jackson’s contract saga has also shed light on a larger trend in the NFL: the shifting perception of dual-threat quarterbacks. Historically, quarterbacks who relied on their legs were viewed as less reliable than traditional pocket passers. There was a belief that mobile quarterbacks would have shorter careers because of the increased risk of injury and the fact that many dual-threat players didn’t have the same level of passing accuracy as their pocket-passing counterparts.

However, in recent years, mobile quarterbacks like Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Kyler Murray have revolutionized the game. These quarterbacks have demonstrated that it’s possible to succeed with a dual-threat style, combining the ability to make plays with their legs while also throwing the ball effectively. The success of these quarterbacks has forced the league to rethink its approach to player valuation, with dual-threat quarterbacks now being seen as an essential part of modern offenses.

Despite these changes, there is still a reluctance among some teams to fully embrace the idea of paying a dual-threat quarterback the same as a traditional pocket passer. Jackson’s case, in particular, has highlighted this hesitation, as teams are uncertain about how much to invest in a player whose playing style might not be sustainable for the long term.

Lamar Jackson’s contract situation with the Baltimore Ravens has been one of the most contentious stories in the NFL in recent years. At the heart of the issue is a fundamental disagreement about the value of dual-threat quarterbacks and how to structure contracts for players who bring a unique skill set to the table. While Jackson’s ability to change the game with his legs and arm is undeniable, the Ravens have been cautious in offering him a long-term deal, citing concerns about his longevity and the wear and tear on his body.

As Jackson continues to prove his worth on the field, the question remains: how much are teams willing to pay for a quarterback who doesn’t fit the traditional mold? The outcome of Jackson’s contract negotiation will likely have significant ramifications for the way the NFL views and compensates dual-threat quarterbacks in the future. While Jackson’s contract battle may be difficult and contentious, it could ultimately pave the way for a new era in quarterback valuation, one that takes into account the dynamic skill set of mobile quarterbacks and their ability to lead teams to success in ways that traditional pocket passers can’t.