Lamar Jackson has suffered a plethora of indignities by the hands of the Baltimore Ravens. Add another to the combination. Historically, MVP-caliber quarterbacks negotiate for top-dollar extensions that set the usual for the quarterback compensation mannequin. All through their battle with Jackson, Baltimore has reiterated their need to comply with a deal that may preserve him in a Raven uniform for the remainder of his profession — besides one that may assure his wage for the subsequent 5 years. It’s semantics, however a hill that the Ravens are prepared to die on.
I used to imagine that ultimately the Ravens would head to remedy and are available to the belief that they wanted a quarterback greater than they desired to toe the league’s firm line on assured contracts. Nonetheless, feedback from Lamar agitator and GM Eric DeCosta throughout a pre-draft information convention, point out that they haven’t realized a factor. Baltimore’s subsequent checkers transfer of their all-out marketing campaign to alienate Jackson could also be to draft a rookie quarterback within the first spherical of the upcoming draft. Whereas addressing reporters on Wednesday, DeCosta was very cautious together with his phrases, aside from on the subject of drafting a substitute for Jackson.
“It is determined by the board, it actually does,” DeCosta stated. “I imply, I’d should say sure as a result of we have now quarterbacks in our prime 31. So simply primarily based on that alone, simple arithmetic, I must say sure.”
What’s the thought course of?
It’s essential to notice that the Ravens may have mentioned drafting a quarterback in later rounds or caught with Tyler Huntley as their emergency starter. Nonetheless, losing a first-rounder on a quarterback deprives them of the flexibility to observe by way of on their promise to make use of that decide to weaponize their uninteresting offense round Jackson as an alternative of nabbing a wideout to enhance a receiving corps that ranked final amongst all 32 extensive receiver rooms in yards gained final season.
In essence, Baltimore following by way of on this risk would successfully finish any hopes of salvaging a relationship with Jackson. Bringing a rookie quarterback into the fold is tantamount to throwing gasoline on a fireplace. Issues will solely get extra contentious from there.
DeCosta’s feedback may all be bluster, however blowing sizzling air wouldn’t make a lot sense in the event that they have been as dedicated to easing tensions and bringing Jackson again as they declare. There’s no logical motive to handle drafting a quarterback whereas taking part in it coy and shutting down reporters who dare ask Jackson-related questions. The Ravens personal the twenty second decide within the first spherical, which is effectively out of vary to pick out a premier-grade quarterback prospect.
The Ravens plucked Joe Flacco out of Delaware within the first spherical of the 2008 Draft, however nothing DeCosta has completed as normal supervisor signifies he has the acumen to nail a quarterback decide within the backside of the primary spherical in any case.
However even when he believed he may, what’s the aim of nagging Jackson with that reply? Entrance workplaces repeatedly lie, deflect and throw smokescreens in entrance of the media in terms of clandestine draft methods. At one level within the press convention, a media member was kicked out for merely asking a query about Jackson.
DeCosta’s solutions are burning bridges with Jackson simply positive although. Usually entrance workplaces on this place can be showering their annoyed franchise quarterback with gratuitous flattery and keep away from making feedback that would additional inflame the state of affairs.
The Ravens have allegedly assured Jackson $200 million, in line with Adam Schefter, however they’re seemingly extra dedicated to the league’s battle in opposition to fully-guaranteed offers than they’re to the fortunes of their very own staff. If that is all about rules of shelling out fully-guaranteed offers, they need to simply supply Jackson $25 million greater than the $230 million the Browns gave Deshaun Watson, assure $230 million of that $255 and name it a day. As a substitute, DeCosta has determined to play with hearth and within the means of torching the final remnant of the final Ozzie Newsome period.
