Is Lamar Jackson Playing Long Game for Historic Extension?

Entering the final season of his rookie contract — without signing an extension — Lamar Jackson called rumors of an impending breakup with the Ravens a “false narrative.”

Acting as his own agent, he’s chosen not to discuss an extension yet, meaning he’ll play the 2022 season on his fifth-year option worth $23 million.

While it’s become the norm to sign an extension after Year 3 (Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen), Jackson could conceivably log three more years before making a long-term decision — which could bring him historic money in an exploding QB market if he delivers a title.

• The Ravens could put the franchise tag on him for 2023 and 2024 (estimated $32M and $39M, respectively); Jackson would be an FA in 2025.
• Owner Steve Bisciotti said Wednesday he understood Jackson’s patience, hypothesizing a $60M AAV figure “because that’s where [the market] will be four years from now.”
• Aaron Rodgers’ $50.3M AAV is the league’s highest, followed by Deshaun Watson ($46M), Mahomes ($45M), and Allen ($43M).

Jackson won the 2019 MVP, is a two-time Pro Bowler, and has gone 37-12 as a starter in the regular season.

In 2020, he led Baltimore to a third straight postseason and became the first QB with multiple 1,000-yard rushing campaigns.

Bisciotti added that he wants to sign Jackson long-term, but Watson’s historic five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal with the Browns spiked the market.