Ravens use franchise tag on QB Lamar Jackson
In a move that surprised no one, the Baltimore Ravens placed the franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson on Tuesday, effectively taking him off the free agent market. Jackson, who does not have an agent and represents himself, has been unable to reach a long-term deal with the Ravens since becoming eligible for a contract extension over two years ago.
Sources have reported that Jackson is seeking a fully guaranteed deal, similar to the one given to Deshaun Watson by the Cleveland Browns last year. However, Baltimore is reluctant to do so, as they consider the Watson deal an outlier. The Ravens used the nonexclusive tag on Jackson, which means he can engage in contract talks with other teams. If he signs an offer sheet with another team, Baltimore has the right to match the offer or take two first-round picks as compensation.
The nonexclusive tag will pay Jackson $32 million this season, which is less expensive than the exclusive one, which would have allowed the Ravens to control his rights this year at a projected cost of $45 million. General Manager Eric DeCosta has stated that the team will continue to negotiate in good faith with Jackson, with the ultimate goal of building a championship team around him.
Jackson is just the third quarterback to win NFL MVP and then receive the franchise tag, joining Steve Young and Peyton Manning. Young and Manning both reached long-term deals and did not play the full season under the tag. Now, under the franchise tag, the Ravens and Jackson have until July 17 to work out a long-term deal. If they fail to do so, a new deal cannot be signed until after the season.
It remains to be seen how Jackson will proceed under the tag. He could wait to report just before the start of the regular season or choose not to play under the tag at all. If he does not sign the franchise tag tender, he is technically not under contract and cannot be fined for missing mandatory minicamp in June or training camp in the summer. Jackson could return before the season opener in September and earn his entire salary.
Another option for Jackson is holding out for the entire season, but this is a rare occurrence. Only one player in the past 25 years has sat out a full season after being tagged, and that was Le'Veon Bell in 2018. If Jackson were to hold out until the season, he must sign his tender before the Tuesday following Week 10 to be eligible to play in 2023. If he does not play for Baltimore next season, the Ravens can put the franchise tag on him again to keep him from becoming a free agent in 2024.
As it stands, the Ravens' only other quarterbacks on the roster are Tyler Huntley, a restricted free agent, and Anthony Brown, who is in his second season after being an undrafted rookie. The Ravens have reached new, multiyear deals with five of the seven players that have previously received the tag by the team.
