By Kuldeep Rathore
sports
Lamar Jackson's Destiny Is Still Hazy
The Baltimore Ravens quarterback was listed as one of the best free agents this season in a piece by NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal on Monday.
"It would be shocking if Jackson was re-signed by Baltimore before receiving the franchise tag," Rosenthal wrote.
An exclusive tag would keep Jackson in Baltimore for $45 million in 2023. A non-exclusive tag would cost $32.4 million and allow other teams to sign Jackson to an offer sheet.
the Ravens could choose to match or let him walk in exchange for two first-round picks."
If the parties are unable to come to an agreement on a contract extension, the club will apply the franchise tag to Jackson by the March 7 date, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley, a Ravens reporter.
Jackson wants a completely assured contract like Deshaun Watson received from the Cleveland Browns.
"I don't understand why the Ravens would rather trade Jackson than give him a fully guaranteed contract,"
To put an end to this protracted dispute between the parties, the Ravens might deal Jackson for a sizable sum. However, Jackson would have a choice of admirers if he were to successfully enter free agency, which the Ravens are unlikely to permit.