Getty Image / G Fiume
The Lamar Jackson-Baltimore Ravens saga has reached a critical mass. On Tuesday, the team placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on the quarterback.
This means that while Jackson is free to negotiate with other teams, the Ravens can choose to match any offer. And, if they elect to not match an offer, they will receive two first-round picks as compensation. That’s quite the steep price, when you consider that the team signing Jackson would have already had to pay him around $150,000,000 guaranteed.
Ravens sent notice to the NFLPA that they placed the $32.41 million non-exclusive franchise tag on QB Lamar Jackson. He now is allowed to negotiate with other teams, but Ravens have right to match any offer sheet he signs or take two first-round picks in return for him. pic.twitter.com/HNdg6231tC
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2023
And, late Friday evening, former Commanders and Ravens quarterback and current ESPN NFL analyst Robert Griffin III gave some inside info on the Lamar Jackson situation.
Team Source: Ravens hope negotiating with other teams will give them and Lamar an unbiased look at the market for him. Ravens aren’t reluctant to give Lamar a top QB market deal, but hope the Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag will speed up their own stalled negotiations with him.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 8, 2023
So, if I understand this correctly, the Ravens are essentially using this tag to tamper the expectations of Lamar Jackson and what he can expect in a contract. By letting him see the open market, their hope is that he will agree to a deal more in line with what the Ravens want to offer, and not the fully guaranteed deal of over $200,000,000 that he currently wants.
Stay tuned to BroBible for continuing Lamar Jackson coverage.