Now is the time of year that NFL players are hoping to secure the hefty bags of cash that Santa himself would struggle to carry down a chimney. Often times the “big money” is what ruins some team’s cap space and makes it impossible to spread it around enough to field a true Super Bowl contender. Regardless, when it’s time to get paid, it’s time to get paid. Ex-Louisville QB Lamar Jackson is due for a significant payday and the Ravens should be willing to cough it all up.
Keep the “cap” in check
Baltimore definitely wants to extend the former NFL MVP, but the task will be figuring out just exactly how to accomplish that goal. The Ravens will need to keep Lamar’s number high enough so that he is happy, but low enough so they can pay others like star defensive “bulldozer” Calais Campbell. The Ravens just locked up Jackson’s fifth year option which costs about $23 million.
Performance on par with his NFL peers
Lamar has become one of the faces of the NFL just like fellow star quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. The only difference from the former Louisville Cardinal and those other ballers is the fact that they both have compensated substantially for their All-Pro level talent. Jackson is coming off of a rookie deal, so more than likely he too will be seeking one of those lucrative $200 million dollar deals. Some might wonder about whether or not the Ravens should play it safe considering Lamar’s style of play. My question for those people is about whether or not they saw Patrick Mahomes struggle in through the playoffs on a bad foot and nearly win a Super Bowl. It’s football people!
It will be up to management to devise a plan strategic enough to ensure they can pay Lamar and avoid allowing the contract to suck talent out of the roster at other positions. Lamar has already been named a top choice for 2022 MVP according to Vegas odds at +1800. He should quite honestly be a favorite heading into each season. Cheers to the former Card Lamar on hopefully getting his money and a championship ring!