“If I Was Lamar Jackson, I Wouldn’t Step On The Field Until a Deal is Done”: NFL Analyst Draws Wild Conclusion to Lamar Jackson’s Contract Talks

Lamar Jackson has been ‘extension-eligible’ for two years now. And only two years ago, he became the second person ever to be named the unanimous league MVP. His running ability is phenomenal and by extending plays he overwhelms the opposition into making mistakes.

Although the Ravens did not have a particularly memorable outing this season around, Lamar’s talent is undeniable. Injuries were rampant in the Ravens clan this season but that does not dissolve that Jackson has changed the game with his dual-threat abilities. And let’s not forget that this is what people were saying just a couple of seasons back:

Even after his win against the Titans, naysayers continue to say that he hasn’t proved himself in the postseason. But even if you only consider the regular season, he has done more than many other quarterbacks, who have already signed big-ticket contracts. NFL Analyst Adam Schefter had a strong opinion on Lamar’s contract situation.

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Schefter came onto the Ari Meirov show to discuss quarterbacks. Towards the end, Meirov points out that interestingly, Jackson does not have an agent. Which is rare when someone is operating at the level that Lamar Jackson is operating at. 

Schefter explains, “Lamar is his own agent. If I’m my own agent, I’m making sure my deal gets done. Especially with the way he plays….I’d be real eerie about stepping on a football field until my deal was done.”

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“And I think Baltimore’s absolutely interested in extending him. and I think the reason it hasn’t gotten extended is that Lamar has been more interested in playing football and doing whatever he does.” 

Lamar Jackson is still on his rookie deal 

Currently, Jackson is playing on his rookie contract. This year Lamar will get $23 million to start at QB after the Ravens exercised his fifth-year option. The issue is that playing without an extension in place risks the future for Lamar. It is inadvisable for a player with such dynamic play and rushing prowess to go into the year without securing his future. 

The QB market is at an all-time high right now. As per Schefter, the former league MVP is in for a deal around the $200 million mark, making it $40 million a year for five years. Even Pat McAfee covered this last year. 

Schefter added, “If I were Lamar Jackson, it would be my off-season priority to make sure that I don’t step foot on a football field again until I have one of those lucrative contracts that puts me in line with these higher-paid quarterbacks in the league.”

Not going the agent route is unchartered territory. But Jackson has a long history of proving people wrong. Fans already saw it on the field. Maybe this time around he will do it off it. 

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