Don't worry, Baltimore Ravens fans. Elite quarterback Lamar Jackson isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
While contract concerns still loom a bit for the dual-threat star, Ravens coach John Harbaugh personally confirmed on NFL Network's “Rich Eisen Show” that Jackson's fifth-year option—worth more than $23 million—”will be picked up.”
Is there a specific reason why the @Ravens haven't picked up @Lj_era8 fifth-year option yet? Could it possibly mean something?
We took that question right up the Baltimore flowchart in head coach John Harbaugh:#NFL #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/LxCZp981Cb
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) April 27, 2021
“There's nothing to the fact that this hasn't happened to this point in time?” Eisen asked.
“Nothing,” Harbaugh replied. “There's nothing to the fact.”
While that's comforting news for the state of Maryland and Ravens fans around the world, Lamar Jackson's contract questions remain to be resolved. Set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2023 following the completion of his rookie contract (and now fifth-year option), Jackson could very well fetch a four-year contract worth more than $171 million—a deal that would make him the second-highest paid quarterback in the league behind Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes and his 10-year, $450 million megadeal.
Is Jackson worth more than $40 million per season? It's hard to argue against. Using comparable averages of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and Mahomes prior to their new contracts, Jackson surpasses all four in rushing yards per game (76.48 in 2019-20), interceptions per game (0.58 in 2019-20) and trails only Mahomes in average QBR prior to a contract year (85.05 in 2019-20).
Jackson is currently self-repped for his negotiations, and the Ravens are one of the few teams going into the 2021 NFL Draft with a positive cap situation ($1.65 million).
However, he's already thrown for more than 7,000 yards and rushed for 2,900 more, with 68 passing touchdowns and 19 rushing touchdowns in just three seasons since taking over for Joe Flacco. It's time to pay the man his due.
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