Football <\/p>\n
With Tuesday’s franchise tag deadline fast approaching and Lamar Jackson<\/a> still without a new contract, the Ravens are nearing an inevitable conclusion.<\/p>\n Baltimore is headed toward placing the franchise tag on Jackson if no long-term deal can be reached by Tuesday’s deadline, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Monday morning, per sources.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pelissero added that Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta recently met with Jackson in his hometown of Miami with the hopes of working toward a deal, per sources. After more than a year of negotiations, however, it appears the situation is headed toward the franchise tag.<\/p>\n The next decision for Baltimore would then on whether to place the non-exclusive franchise tag or the exclusive franchise tag.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The exclusive tag, last used in 2021 by the Cowboys on Dak Prescott<\/a>, ensures Jackson cannot negotiate with any other teams in free agency, and it will cost the Ravens around $45 million in 2023 — the average of the top-five prior year salaries at QB at the conclusion of this offseason’s restricted free agent signing period on April 21.<\/p>\n Should Baltimore decide to use the non-exclusive tag on Jackson, it will cost the team $32.4 million in 2023 and both sides will have until July 17 to reach a long-term deal. Jackson is permitted to negotiate a contract with another team on a non-exclusive tag, and the Ravens would have the right to match the contract or trade Jackson for two first-round draft picks.<\/p>\n In the 2019 season, Jackson won the AP Most Valuable Player<\/a> award after throwing for 3,127 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions. Jackson also rushed for 1,206 yards on the ground and scored seven times.<\/p>\n Last season, Jackson played in 12 games and led Baltimore with an 8-4 record in games he started. Jackson went on to miss the final games of the season due to a knee injury. Baltimore went on to lose in the Wild Card Round to the Cincinnati Bengals.<\/p>\n Following the 2022 season, Baltimore parted ways<\/a> with long time offensive coordinator Greg Roman and hired<\/a> Todd Monken as Roman’s replacement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n