The Baltimore Ravens may be close to making their decision on how to handle quarterback Lamar Jackson and his looming free agency.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Jackson “is going to be (franchise) tagged,” and assuming that it is the “Exclusive Franchise Tag,” Baltimore would “set the price” for a potential trade of the former MVP down the road. Rapoport added that he doesn’t think the Ravens will end up trading Jackson.
The 26-year-old speedster missed the final four-plus games of the regular season — as well as the team’s playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals — due to a sprained PCL. When Jackson went down with the injury in Week 13, it was reported that he’d only miss one-to-three weeks.
After Baltimore made Roquan Smith the highest paid inside linebacker in NFL history three weeks ago with a five-year, $100 million deal, many speculated that the organization would use the franchise tag on Jackson to ensure that he stays with the team for at least one more year, but also not be committed to a riskier long-term deal with him. If Rapoport’s report holds true, this will be a band-aid fix for a persistent problem for the franchise caught in indecisiveness regarding No. 8.
The Louisville product finished the 2022 campaign with a 62.3% completion percentage for 2,242 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while recording 112 carries for 764 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground as well.
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