Ravens Optimistic Lamar Jackson Contract Agreement Can Be Reached Before Tag Deadline

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said Wednesday that he is "optimistic" about being able to get a deal done with quarterback Lamar Jackson.

DeCosta told reporters: "We want Lamar here. We want him back. Living in a world without a quarterback is a bad world to live in."

If the Ravens are unable to sign Jackson to a long-term deal before the March 7 deadline to use a franchise tag, Baltimore is likely to tag Jackson, although DeCosta noted he isn't yet sure if the Ravens would use the exclusive or non-exclusive franchise tag.

The exclusive tag would preclude any other teams from negotiating a contract with Jackson, but the non-exclusive tag would allow Jackson to talk with other teams.

A non-exclusive tag would give the Ravens the right to match any contract Jackson signs with another team, or they could let him sign elsewhere and receive two first-round picks as compensation.

Jackson's contract and future with the Ravens has been one of the biggest talking points in the NFL for the past year after the two sides were unable to reach a long-term deal last offseason.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Jackson has been asking for a fully guaranteed contract similar to the fully guaranteed deal Deshaun Watson signed with the Cleveland Browns last offseason.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported to the contrary, noting that members of Jackson's camp told him Jackson never asked for a fully guaranteed contract.

Regardless of his asking price, the Ravens are in a difficult spot because of Jackson's immense talent and his recent durability issues.

The 26-year-old is a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro who won the NFL MVP award in 2019 in his first full season as a starter.

He is also 45-16 as a starter in his career in the regular season, and he has had a hand in leading the Ravens to the playoffs four times in five years.

Injuries have caused Jackson to miss the stretch run in each of the past two seasons, though. He missed five games in 2021 and the Ravens missed the playoffs in large part because of that, and he missed five games in 2022 in addition to the Ravens' playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jackson is an elite talent who has set himself apart by twice rushing for 1,000 yards in a season during his career, but he is also more susceptible to hits than most quarterbacks, arguably increasing his chances of injury.

If a long-term deal can't get done, tagging Jackson is in the Ravens' best interest, but it doesn't necessarily mean Jackson will be with the team in 2023 should that happen.