Lamar Jackson ought to nonetheless be an choice for the Jets

There’s been a ton of hypothesis on if the Ravens will re-sign quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Final week following their wild-card loss to the Bengals, Ravens coach John Harbaugh tried to finish all rumors of Jackson probably transferring on at his end-of-season press convention.

“100%, 200 p.c,” Harbaugh stated. “There’s no query about it. Lamar Jackson is our quarterback; he’s been our quarterback.

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“Every little thing we’ve completed when it comes to constructing our offense and constructing our group, how we predict when it comes to [bringing in] individuals and placing individuals round him relies on this unimaginable younger man, his expertise, his potential and his competitiveness. He and I have been speaking right this moment too, and the factor about Lamar that to me stands out — he’s an unimaginable competitor. Lamar Jackson, all he desires to do is win at all the pieces he does.

“Sure, he has a whole lot of expertise, he’s a really vibrant man, he has a giant coronary heart, however he’s only a huge competitor. That’s the sort of guys we need to construct this group round; guys that love soccer and guys that like to compete.”

The door hasn’t utterly closed on the Jets buying Jackson, however it’s a sophisticated state of affairs as they should see if the Ravens will apply the franchise tag on him previous to the March 7 deadline.

Getting into the ultimate yr of his rookie contract, the Ravens tried to barter a brand new long-term cope with Jackson earlier than the start of the 2022 season. Nonetheless, they couldn’t come to an settlement earlier than Jackson’s self-imposed deadline earlier than the beginning of the common season. Reportedly, Jackson turned down a $250 million contract as a result of he was searching for a totally assured deal just like the one Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson obtained final yr.

Now it’s unlikely the Ravens would simply let Jackson stroll regardless of the obvious harm emotions between the 2 sides. Jackson missed 18 consecutive practices to finish the yr after struggling a knee harm in early December, an harm that was initially thought to maintain him out a number of weeks.

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If Baltimore doesn’t signal Jackson to a long-term deal, the group might place the franchise tag on him till March 7, per week earlier than the beginning of free company (March 15). The Ravens have two totally different franchise tags they may placed on Jackson, the unique franchise tag and the non-exclusive tag.

The 2 most important variations between an unique and non-exclusive franchise tag are the incorporation of wage versus cap hit and who holds negotiating energy.

An unique tag provides the Ravens sole negotiating rights. Ought to Jackson reject the Ravens’ provide, he can not signal with one other NFL group for the whole 2023 season.

Nonetheless, for non-exclusive tags, Jackson could have the choice to barter with different groups. If he receives a suggestion, the Ravens could have a chance to match. If Baltimore opts to not match the provide, it’s entitled to obtain two first-round draft picks in alternate for Jackson.

One of many different variations between the unique and non-exclusive franchise tag is how the group incorporates the wage versus group cap hit and who holds energy when negotiating.

Ravens basic supervisor Eric DeCosta didn’t precisely shoot down the thought when requested if the Ravens would take into account a commerce provide for Jackson in the event that they couldn’t agree on phrases.

“That’s one thing that we’re not going to speak about at this level,” DeCosta stated. “I talked to Lamar [Jackson] right this moment, as I stated, and our focus proper now could be actually to get a long-term deal completed, that’s our singular focus at this level.

“It’s going to take a while, it’s going to take some effort, it’s going to take nice communication — give and take — however I’m assured that we’ll be on the suitable path to get that completed.”

Jets proprietor Woody Johnson stated he can be prepared to do no matter it takes to amass a veteran quarterback this offseason. Why not go for it and do what it takes to carry Jackson to Gotham?

At simply 26 years previous, Jackson is already some of the dynamic gamers within the NFL. He’s a former MVP, a two-time Professional Bowler, and a former first-team All-Professional.

Many know Jackson for his particular working talents, however he led the league in landing passes in 2019 (36) and was third in passing ranking (113.3). Not solely has Jackson put up big numbers, however he has additionally been the engine for the Ravens’ offense for the final 5 seasons.

Baltimore made the playoffs 4 out of the 5 seasons Jackson has been with the group. He has additionally led them to a 45-16 report throughout that point. In the meantime, the Jets have a 24-58 throughout that very same span.

In 2022, the Jets protection completed fourth in yards allowed (311.1) and factors allowed (18.6). With Jackson, together with Breece Corridor and Garrett Wilson offensively, the Jets might compete with the Payments within the AFC East for years to come back.

Accidents are the one major concern for Jackson, as he has missed 10 video games within the final two years. In 2021, an ankle harm derailed the Ravens season as Jackson missed the remainder of the season and the group missed the playoffs. This season, the Ravens went from probably successful the AFC North to a wild-card group and dropping within the first spherical after Jackson’s season-ending PCL harm.

As a result of he didn’t return late within the season when the Ravens wanted him, Jackson’s toughness has been questioned. Baltimore was 2-3 over the past 5 weeks of the common season with out Jackson because it averaged 12.5 factors per recreation. Due to his contract state of affairs, it’s exhausting accountable Jackson for safeguarding his well being for the longer term.

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Jackson’s relationship with the Ravens is fractured indirectly as free company looms. The Jets have been searching for a real franchise quarterback because the days of Joe Namath within the Nineteen Sixties and 70s. If the Ravens make Jackson obtainable by commerce, the Jets have to get their man, as two first-round picks is a small worth to pay for a participant who could have you contending within the AFC for the following 12-15 years.