Lamar Jackson reportedly is seeking a contract that rivals the deal Deshaun Watson signed with the Cleveland Browns, and the MVP quarterback set the record state about a reported offer back in September.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on his podcast Monday that Jackson turned down a $200 million fully guaranteed contract from the Baltimore Ravens, according to Kyle Barber of Baltimore Beatdown. The insider confirmed the report he and Chris Mortensen made in September, and NFL Media’s Ian Rapaport added the deal Jackson turned down was similar to that of Russell Wilson but fell short of Watson’s historic deal.
The report caught 26-year-old quarterback’s attention, and he tweeted a GIF that suggests he questioned the legitimacy of the numbers.
“133/3years fully guaranteed,” Jackson followed up in another tweet Tuesday. “But I need a agent?”
The All-Pro QB has received assistance from the NFL Players Association, but he has been representing himself in negotiatons.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell pointed out the numbers Jackson posted would be $5 million less than what Watson received in the first three years of his guaranteed deal.
The Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson after not coming to an agreement on an extension. This means teams are free to talk to him, and Baltimore will be given a chance to match an offer. If it doesn’t match and Jackson signs elsewhere, Baltimore will get two first-rounders as compensation.
Multiple teams, including the New England Patriots, reportedly have taken themselves out of the opportunity to acquire the MVP quarterback, which has people like J.J. Watt wondering why a team wouldn’t want arguably a top-10 quarterback on their roster.
Fans believe NFL owners do not want to set the precedent that a contract like Watson’s is normal, and Jackson has become a victim in this.
The reported lack of interest in Jackson also comes as Daniel Jones received a contract extension and the New York Jets are doing nearly everything to appease Aaron Rodgers.
