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The Baltimore Ravens and Pro Bowl quarterback Lamar Jackson have yet to agree to a long-term deal, and according to some in the organization, it’s partially Deshaun Watson’s fault.
During a recent appearance on the Bernie Kosar Show, former general manager and current Ravens executive vice president Ozzie Newsome says that team owner Steve Bisciotti sees Watson’s contract with the Cleveland Browns as a “problem.”
Newsome, who was the Ravens’ General Manager for 17 years before stepping back to the Executive V.P. role in 2019, said on the Bernie Kosar Show that Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti views the Watson contract as a problem.
“Every club has to do what they have to do with contracts,” Newsome said. “I don’t worry about what other people do, but our owner did say that contract did create some problems. We have to figure out if that’s going to be the norm or is that an outlier. We don’t know.” [via ProFootballTalk]
After acquiring Watson in a trade with the Houston Texans back in 2022 for three first-round draft picks, a 2023 third-round pick, and a 2024 fourth-round pick, the Browns handed the controversial signal-caller a fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.
As a result, the market for quarterback contracts has been totally out of whack since with far more accomplished quarterbacks — such as former MVP Lamar Jackson, for example — seeking similar if not larger deals.
During his first season with the Cleveland Browns last year, Watson started in six games and compiled a 3-3 record. In those six starts, the $230M man completed 58% of his passes for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also ran the ball another 36 times for 175 yards and a touchdown.
In an effort to bolster their Watson-led offense for next season, the Browns traded for cast out Jets pass catcher Elijah Moore earlier this week.
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