“This Is a Throwing League Right”: Former NFL Wide Receiver Reveals His Only Concern With Ravens Giving Lamar Jackson a Quarter of a Billion Dollars

Former league MVP Lamar Jackson is currently holding his cards close to his chest. While his rookie contract is coming to an end, a new one seems far away. Baltimore Ravens are already in a crunch with their cap space. The talks of a new deal seem very tricky, especially after the amount that’s being talked about. However, a former NFL and Ravens wide receiver has voiced his concern about offering the quarterback a mega deal like that.

For retired wideout Steve Smith Sr, a question about handing out a $250 million dollar contract to Jackson is not so simple. The former player appeared on the Club Shay Shay podcast, with host Shannon Sharpe. The two veteran wide receivers talked about the quarterback and his situation. While they both agree that the player is supremely talented, Smith remains unconvinced of the 25-year-old receiving such a huge deal.

Falling into the vast majority of people who doubt Jackson’s passing quality, Smith made a point. “I just believe to pay a guy a quarter of a billion dollars you gotta be able to process. You gotta be able to put the ball where it needs to be. This is a throwing league, right?” said Smith.

Is that a pass on Lamar Jackson?

Lamar Jackson has often proved himself. Nothing could speak more about his abilities than his 2019 MVP-winning season. Throwing for over 3ooo yards and 36 touchdowns while only having 9 interceptions. However, what was unmatched was his 1206 yards, which he added through rushing the ball. It was the start of the player being hailed as the greatest rushing quarterback up until now.

Although winning a league MVP in just your second year as a player should jack up your stock, the concerns surrounding his passing abilities have persisted through these years. Still a highly debated topic for today, it is not his ability in question but his consistency as a passer.

Read more: Patriots HC Bill Belichick Hails Lamar Jackson an MVP Candidate While Commenting on His Contract Situation

Smith raised the same questions. Looking at the condition of offense as a collective before giving Lamar Jackson huge money is vital for the team, which has struggled to make any deep threats for the Super Bowl recently. Before committing to a $250 million deal, the team needs to get its other pieces right. According to Smith, if they want to challenge the likes of Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow and their pass-heavy offenses, they need to evaluate what they want their offense to look like. And only then should they make any further moves.

Watch this story: NBA world gives massive shout out to Lamar Jackson, tells the Ravens to break the bank for him.