Last week, star quarterback Lamar Jackson agreed to an enormous five-year, $260 million contract with the Ravens. The deal made him the highest-paid participant in NFL historical past.
Coming to an settlement on the phrases of the contract has been the principle focus of the Ravens and Jackson the previous two years.
Frustrations spilled over on either side all through the lengthy course of, and Jackson made a commerce request public in March.
That identical month, the Ravens determined to position the non-exclusive franchise tag on the MVP quarterback.
Lamar Jackson (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service through Getty Images)
Ultimately, the saga had a contented ending.
“They say one of the best issues come to those that wait. We waited for some time, and right here we’re,” Ravens common supervisor Eric DeCosta mentioned throughout Thursday’s press convention.
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Jackson admitted different NFL groups reached out to him after the Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag on him, however he was not thinking about leaving Baltimore.
“To be trustworthy with you, I actually did not take care of different groups, actually,” Jackson mentioned Thursday.
“I simply actually needed to get one thing accomplished right here. I needed to be right here. I used to be like, ‘Man, OK, different groups cool, however I wish to be a Raven.’ … I actually needed to get this accomplished earlier than something, earlier than my time up and department off some other place. I actually wish to end my profession right here and win a Super Bowl right here.”
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) appears to be like to move within the first half of a sport towards the Denver Broncos Dec. 4, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The 26-year-old additionally talked about that he appreciated followers reaching out to him through social media through the negotiation course of.
“It means rather a lot to me,” Jackson mentioned. “I can’t even clarify it, how a lot I like the fanbase. … I used to be all the time getting messages from them, folks crying, unhappy in my DMs. I’m like, ‘Man, they received me unhappy.’
“I wanna inform them that we making progress, however I don’t as a result of I don’t wish to spoil what’s occurring. … I like the neighborhood a lot. I inform all people that’s like my third residence as a result of Florida, Louisville, then right here. But I’m right here for 5 years, so this my residence residence.”
Jackson has a lofty new aim for his 2023 marketing campaign, saying he needs to throw for record-setting yardage.
“I believe I advised somebody, like, ‘Man, I wanna throw for like 6,000 yards with the weapons we have now,’” Jackson mentioned. “And I’m not a person award sort man or a stat watcher. I simply wish to try this as a result of nobody’s ever accomplished it, and I really feel like we have now the weapons to do it.”
Legendary quarterback Peyton Manning set the single-season passing document in 2013 when he threw for five,477 yards.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball through the first half of a sport towards the Jacksonville Jaguars Nov. 27, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Baltimore upgraded its vast receiver room this offseason with the additions of Odell Beckham Jr. and receiver Zay Flowers and first-round draft choose Rashod Bateman. One of Jackson’s favourite targets, tight finish Mark Andrews, can also be returning.
Former Georgia Bulldogs offensive coordinator Todd Monken will deal with the play-calling duties for the Ravens in 2023.
Jackson didn’t get into the specifics of his contract negotiations with the Ravens however famous that Jalen Hurts’ contract did not have an effect on his deal. Hurts five-year, $255 million contract was introduced 10 days earlier than Jackson’s deal.
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