Ravens GM stays ‘hopeful’ to signal Lamar Jackson long-term

The Baltimore Ravens proceed to work towards a contract extension with star quarterback Lamar Jackson, an act that has stored the workforce’s fan base biting their nails in anticipation.

Both sides are saying good issues in regards to the different, trusting the method will lead to one thing that they’ll agree on. But there was no indication as to when that can occur, and with free company two weeks away, the Ravens wish to hammer one thing out in order that they’ll get to their free-agent sport plan.

That’s why GM Eric DeCosta took the rostrum on the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Wednesday whereas figuring out that his questions weren’t going to be in regards to the NFL Draft prospects.

Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball defended by Rayshawn Jenkins #2 of the Jacksonville Jaguars through the first half at TIAA Bank Field on November 27, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)

Instead, he mentioned Jackson before everything.

“You can’t win on this league with no robust quarterback. That’s been confirmed. So, we would like Lamar right here,” DeCosta stated.

Head coach John Harbaugh has constantly backed Jackson’s expertise and management on the quarterback place for this workforce, and he did so once more Wednesday.

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“He’s my quarterback, he’s my man. I really like him,” Harbaugh stated. “As a coach, I’m wanting ahead to seeing it get accomplished. But it’s not simple. It’s by no means simple. It’s the enterprise a part of it. But I’m actually hopeful and excited.”

What the Ravens wish to keep away from, if potential, is franchise-tagging Jackson. There are two separate choices: the unique tag, which doesn’t enable groups to speak to him, and the non-exclusive, which has the other impact. The non-exclusive would enable the Ravens to match any provide Jackson will get from one other workforce or obtain two first-round picks for letting him go.

Nov 7, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) scrambles in opposition to the New Orleans Saints through the first half at Caesars Superdome. (Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports)

“We’re hopeful to get a deal accomplished with Lamar earlier than that occurs,” DeCosta stated. “But certain, they’re huge numbers. We’ve recognized they’re huge numbers. We’re ready for that. We have 4 or 5 – 6 totally different plans primarily based on what occurs over the following 10 days.”

Those numbers DeCosta talked about is determined by which tag the Ravens might use. One would suppose Baltimore would hit Jackson with the unique tag, which might be roughly $46 million for one yr (common of the highest 5 salaries on the place for 2023).

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Baltimore would have till July to work out an extension if a tag is used.

While that’s an choice, as DeCosta stated, the Ravens will proceed working with Jackson to iron one thing out.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) through the sport between the Baltimore Ravens and the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 27, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images)

The shut is ticking, although. The franchise tag window is March 7. If Jackson isn’t tagged, he’ll turn out to be an unrestricted free agent.