Jackson, Ravens agree to five-year deal
The Ravens agreed in principle with Lamar Jackson on a five-year deal Thursday, securing their star quarterback for the foreseeable future and ending a contract negotiation saga that was dominating the team’s offseason.
The Ravens announced the deal hours before the first round of the NFL Draft, and it’s fair to say that in Baltimore at least, this news will overshadow whoever the team might take in the first round.
Jackson was the NFL’s MVP in 2019, but after playing out his rookie contract, his future was in doubt. Baltimore put the franchise tag on Jackson last month, but the Ravens kept expressing confidence that they could reach a long-term agreement with him — even after Jackson made a trade request public.
The Ravens did not disclose contract terms, but their tweet announcing the deal did include a video of Jackson talking.
“For the last few months, there’s been a lot of he said, she said, a lot of nail-biting, a lot of head scratching going on,” Jackson said. “But for the next five years, it’s a lot of flock going on.”
That was a reference to the term “Ravens
Flock” used by the team’s fans.
“Let’s go baby. Let’s go, let’s go,” Jackson added. “Can’t wait to get there, can’t wait to be there. Can’t wait to light up M&T (Bank Stadium) for the next five years, man. Let’s get it.”
Jackson’s deal brings one of the NFL’s biggest offseason stories to a conclusion — right as one of the league’s biggest annual events was about to start. The Ravens can now expect Jackson in the lineup for the first game of the season, without drama about whether he’ll report to camp.
They’ve already boosted his wide receiving group by signing Odell Beckham Jr. Baltimore also has a new offensive coordinator after hiring Georgia’s
Todd Monken.
Jackson’s deal comes shortly after the Eagles gave quarterback Jalen Hurts a five-year, $255 million extension.
Drafted in 2018, Jackson is already one of six quarterbacks in NFL history with 10,000 yards passing and 4,000 rushing. He’s been hurt at the end of the past two seasons, however. At age 26, his best days could well be ahead of him, and now he’ll remain in a Baltimore uniform.
Jackson, who was negotiating without an agent, stood to make $32.4 million this season if he played on the franchise tag, but that path had potential pitfalls for both sides. Jackson would have risked losing a lot of money long term if he was injured, and even if he stayed healthy, the team might have had an unhappy quarterback on its hands. Jackson’s contract situation didn’t seem too disruptive last offseason, but it took a different turn when he announced in late March that he’d requested a trade a few weeks earlier.
Whether that was out of frustration with the process or an attempt to draw more interest from other teams, Jackson and the Ravens now appear to be very much on the same page.
It’s also an interesting coincidence Jackson’s new contract was announced on draft day. Five years ago, he wasn’t one of the top players taken. Baltimore landed him with the 32nd pick, and he was the fifth quarterback taken. Of the four who went ahead of him, only Buffalo’s Josh Allen has enjoyed success comparable to Jackson. Allen signed a long-term deal with the Bills two offseasons ago.
Jaguars extend NT Hamilton
The Jaguars believe nose tackle DaVon Hamilton’s best season is just the beginning.
Hamilton signed a three-year contract extension, a clear indication how general manager
Trent Baalke and coach Doug Pederson feel about the third-round pick entering his fourth season.
The extension is worth $34.5 million and includes $23 million guaranteed, according to a person familiar with negotiations. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because neither side disclosed financial details.
“DaVon is an integral part of our team,” Baalke said. “Retaining our homegrown players is a key component to our organizational philosophy. We are confident that his best football lies ahead. He is a great representative of the Jaguars both on and off the field, and we are excited for his future in Jacksonville.”
Hamilton, the 73rd overall pick in 2020 out of Ohio State, showed improvement in each of his first three years. It culminated with a career-high 56 tackles and 2½ sacks in 2022. The 6-foot-4inch, 320-pound defender helped the Jags rank seventh in the league last season in yards per carry (4.15) and 12th against the run (114.8 yards a game).
He’s the second member of Jacksonville’s defensive line to land a contract extension this offseason, following Roy Robertson-Harris. The defensive end signed a three-year, $21.6 million extension in February that included $14.4 million guaranteed.
Now Hamilton, Robertson-Harris and 2022 No. 1 draft pick Travon Walker likely will be playing alongside each other for at least two more seasons, maybe longer.
Jacksonville’s Robinson faces ban
Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson is facing a multigame suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the potential suspension is pending the result of a B sample.
According to league rules, Robinson could be suspended without pay for up to six games to start the season.
The possibility of being without Robinson for any length of time could affect the way Jacksonville approaches the NFL. The Jaguars have the 24th overall pick, and offensive tackle already was considered one of their top needs along with pass rusher, cornerback, and tight end.
Jacksonville lost right tackle Jawaan Taylor to Kansas City in free agency, leaving the team with Robinson and third-year pro Walker Little as starters. The Jags signed oft-injured veteran Josh Wells to a one-year deal earlier this month.
More Cardinals sins
The Cardinals swapped third-round picks with the Eagles in this year’s draft after the Cardinals had impermissible contact with Jonathan Gannon during their recent coaching search.
Arizona’s third-round pick was originally the No. 66 overall selection, but now it will select at No. 94. The Cardinals will also receive the Eagles’ fifth-round pick as part of the agreement.
The Cardinals said they self-reported that new general manager Monti Ossenfort had a phone conversation with Gannon — who was the Eagles' defensive coordinator — in the days following the NFC Championship game, when contact is not permitted under NFL tampering rules.
The Cardinals eventually hired Gannon.
It's the latest in a string of bad news for the Cardinals management. Former Cardinals front office executive Terry McDonough recently filed an arbitration claim against the team that accuses owner of cheating in a burner phone scheme in 2018.