The Baltimore Ravens have reached a tentative five-year contract with quarterback Lamar Jackson.
According to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, the deal worth a total of $260 million, with $185 million in guaranteed money, will make him the highest-paid player in the NFL.
The Maryland club would thus secure the services of its star quarterback in the medium term after a contract saga that dominated the entire off-season.
The Ravens announced the deal just hours before the first round of the NFL Draft, making sure to throw umbrage at whoever gets picked first overall.
Jackson was the league’s most valuable player in 2019. After running out of his rookie contract, his future was uncertain. The Ravens tagged him as a franchise player last month, while showing confidence they could come to a long-term deal with him, even after he publicly demanded a trade.
The Ravens did not disclose contract terms, but their Twitter comment included a video in which Jackson spoke.
“Over the past few months there’s been a lot of rumours, a lot of stress and a lot of questioning as well,” Jackson said. But for the next five years, that’s settled. […] I can’t wait to host the M
This agreement puts an end to one of the biggest stories of the off-season, just when one of the biggest events in the league was about to get under way. The Ravens will therefore have Jackson in the training for the first game of the season, without his possible absence from the camp not fueling the conversations.
The team has already improved its receiving group by adding Odell Beckahm Jr. The Ravens also have a new offensive coordinator in Todd Monken.
Jackson’s deal also comes shortly after the Philadelphia Eagles signed quarterback Jalen Hurts $255 million over five years.
Drafted in 2018, Jackson is already one of six quarterbacks in NFL history with 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards. He was, however, injured at the end of the last two seasons. At 26, his best years may well be ahead of him and the next five, at least, will be in a Ravens uniform.