“They Were Desperate”: Lamar Jackson’s Teammate Gives Deshaun Watson Named Reality Check to “Deserving” Leader

As the free agency window of negotiation opens on March 15, some of the quarterback-hungry franchises in the league will be looking at a prime 26-year-old MVP on the market. Lamar Jackson still doesn’t have a satisfactory number from the Baltimore Ravens. And one of his former teammates knows exactly why.

3x Pro Bowler DeSean Jackson spent 2022 in Baltimore after multiple stints with the Eagles, and a couple of years in Tampa Bay and LA. And his advice for his Heisman-winning QB from last season would be to sit tight until the right number comes along. However, DeSean doesn’t see it happening because of Deshaun Watson.

Why Lamar Jackson may not get what he wants

According to the wide receiver, Action Jackson’s hold-up in the max-guaranteed signing is mainly due to what the Browns did with Deshaun Watson. Cleveland signed Deshaun onto the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history with his 5-year $230 million extension last year. And, despite major restructuring and disappointment for Deshaun this year, that number last year may have ruined the entire quarterback economics.

ALSO READ: Lamar Jackson Expresses Himself as Baltimore Ravens Trade Drama Reaches Peak

“Honestly bro, he [Lamar] deserves it. But I don’t think they’re gonna give it to him the Deshaun Watson money because I feel Deshaun Watson getting paid like that after d–n near not playing a year and a half. Like they were desperate. They went out and did something, not knowing what they did. And they f—ed up the market for a lot of other people,” DeSean said on the ‘I Am Athlete’ podcast with Brandon Marshall, LeSean McCoy, Adam Pacman Jones, and special guest Joy Taylor.

And Lamar Jackson isn’t staying mum anymore.

Lamar recently lashed out against fake reporting about his contract situation

For now, the Ravens have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson. This means that the 2019 NFL MVP is allowed to talk to other franchises. However, the Ravens still hold the right to match any offer Lamar receives within 5 days or receive two first-round picks in return. However, to the surprise of many in the league, multiple franchises have passed up on the opportunity to sign Action Jackson.

But that’s not what was bothering Lamar. Back in September last year, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Ravens quarterback had turned down a $133 million/ 3-year guaranteed deal from Baltimore. And Lamar disagrees with the facts and tweeted in response.

“133/3 guaranteed. But I need an agent,” he tweeted, along with a TikTok meme retweet of the original Schefter report. “People throw s–t at the wall and hope it sticks,” Jackson added as a final tweet.

WATCH THIS STORY: Shaquille O’Neal’s three-word message to NFL GOAT Tom Brady’s unretirement peddlers

The fastest player to reach 100 passing TDs and also rush for over 4000 yards in his career, LJ has been crucial for the Ravens. With him, they are 45-16 with a 28.0 PPG compared to 20.0 when he is out. And with the quarterback dominoes falling gradually, a Lamar Jackson headline is one that fans need desperately.