Is Lamar Jackson Done In Baltimore? Ravens Have 3 Options For QB's Contract In 2023

There is speculation that Lamar Jackson has played his last game for the Baltimore Ravens, and rumors about the quarterback's future will continue to circulate until he signs a contract. Jackson is headed for free agency in the 2023 NFL offseason after missing Baltimore's last six games because of a knee injury.

When Jackson suffered a sprained PCL in Week 13, it was assumed that the quarterback would be ready to return for the playoffs, at the very least. Not only did Jackson not suit up for the Ravens' 24-17 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals on Wild-Card Weekend, but the 26-year-old wasn't even in the building to watch his team play.

Jackson and the Ravens were unable to agree on a long-term contract extension in 2022. The quarterback's absence from the team and recent social media posts have led some to believe that he'll be wearing a different uniform in 2023.

Is Jackson done in Baltimore? It's unknown what the future holds for the 2019 NFL MVP, but it's clear that the Ravens won't simply let their start quarterback walk for nothing in free agency.

Here are Baltimore's three options regarding Jackson's free agency.

Long-Term Contract

The best outcome for both sides would be for Jackson to sign a multi-year contract. Jackson and the Ravens, however, seem to be far apart in negotiations. It's been reported that Jackson wants a fully guaranteed contract, similar to the five-year, $230 million contract that Deshaun Watson received from the Cleveland Browns last year. According to both ESPN and NFL Network, Jackson turned down a $250 million extension that included $133 million guaranteed.

Exclusive Franchise Tag

Before Jackson got hurt toward the end of the 2022 season, his most likely fate seemed to be that he would be hit with the exclusive franchise tag. By doing so, Baltimore would ensure that Jackson couldn't sign with another team in 2023 free agency, and the quarterback would receive a guaranteed one-year salary of around $45 million. Jackson would head for free agency again in 2024, where he could either sign with another team or be franchise tagged one more time for an even higher guaranteed salary.

Non-exclusive Franchise Tag

Because of the apparent tension between Jackson and the organization, the non-exclusive franchise tag is starting to look like a more realistic option for the Ravens. The non-exclusive tag would pay Jackson around $32.5 million for the 2023 season. However, it would allow Jackson to negotiate with other teams. If Baltimore decides not to match an offer sheet signed by Jackson, the quarterback would sign with the new team, and the Ravens would receive two first-round picks in exchange. It's possible that Baltimore would be fine with starting over at quarterback and a pair of first-rounders. The Ravens could also tag Jackson and try to trade him.