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The Baltimore Ravens<\/a> and\u00a0quarterback Lamar Jackson<\/a> entered the offseason with a mutual interest in a long-term partnership. Months later, there are increasing signs that a separation might be welcomed by both sides.<\/p>\n For over a year, both Jackson and the Ravens have insisted publicly that a long-term contract extension is what they want. However, Baltimore\u2019s offers<\/a> and the quarterback\u2019s contract demands have become an increasing source of frustration for the club and player.<\/p>\n Jackson called out the Ravens\u2019 organization in early March for low-balling him<\/a> and revealed previously undisclosed details of their latest proposal. It\u2019s one of the many issues Baltimore\u2019s front office has had with the negotiation process, including Jackson not having an agent.<\/p>\n Weeks after receiving the non-exclusive franchise tag, worth significantly less money than the exclusive tag, Jackson is now open to playing for another team<\/a>. It appears he is no longer the only party that is now open to the idea of a divorce.<\/p>\n Appearing on SportsCenter, ESPN\u2019s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said that Baltimore would like to keep Jackson in the fold. However, the franchise hasn\u2019t provided an outright plan of committing to bringing him back no matter what.<\/p>\n \u201cBaltimore is at least giving some indications to some free agents they\u2019ve been meeting with that they would like to keep Lamar. They hope he\u2019s there, but they\u2019re not committing one way or the other. So, still unclear to players like say, Nelson Agholor, who come in and sign with Baltimore as a wide receiver, they don\u2019t quite know who their quarterback is going to be.\u201d<\/p>\n Jeremy Fowler on Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (H\/T Bleacher Report<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Ravens won\u2019t just give Jackson away. Considering the Chicago Bears received star wide receiver DJ Moore, the ninth overall pick and additional assets for the right to draft Bryce Young<\/a> or C.J. Stroud<\/a>, an MVP-caliber quarterback like Jackson won\u2019t just walk in free agency.<\/p>\n However, no NFL team has reportedly engaged with Jackson in dialogue on a potential contract and that currently leaves him without alternatives to Baltimore. Even if he agreed to an offer sheet with another club, the Ravens could match it or receive two first-round picks in return.<\/p>\n Recent developments now suggest this could drag out past the 2024 NFL Draft, which could theoretically introduce new suitors into the mix. While many around the league believed the Ravens would match any offer Jackson received, the recent sentiment from both sides now indicates that might no longer be a guarantee.<\/p>\n While the likeliest outcome is still Jackson playing for the Ravens in 2023, it\u2019s not the foregone conclusion everyone expected after Baltimore\u2019s season ended. Given where things stand, the Ravens might now have to consider spending an early pick on a quarterback.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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