In the modern NFL, the debate over how much of a team’s salary cap should be dedicated to a single player is a perennial source of contention. However, when that player is a two-time NFL MVP who serves as the undeniable engine of your entire offense, the conversation should ideally be a short one.
As the Baltimore Ravens navigate the financial realities of their future with Lamar Jackson, prominent NFL analysts are issuing a stern warning to the front office: Do not ask your superstar to take a discount.
Why the Ravens Can’t Afford to Lowball Lamar Jackson
During a recent segment on ESPN’s “Get Up,” analysts Kevin Clark and Ben Solak addressed whether Jackson should consider a team-friendly deal to help Baltimore build a stronger supporting cast. Their consensus was emphatic: Jackson is the ultimate difference-maker, and attempting to penny-pinch on his compensation would be a grave miscalculation.
Jackson ranked 12th in the league overall in PFSN’s QB Impact metric with a score of 79.4, which is a C+. He completed 192 passes for 2,549 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also rushed 67 times for 349 yards and 2 additional touchdowns.
Clark pointed out that the Ravens’ roster, once lauded as one of the deepest in the league, is currently masking several deficiencies that only a transcendent talent like Jackson can seamlessly overcome.
“Imagine this Ravens team, which roster has more holes than we think, ’cause this time last year we’re talking about a top five roster at minimum,” Clark explained. “We look at it now and we say I don’t know, can’t rush the passer, still got Trey Hendrickson who didn’t solve all the problems. Got a couple other issues there like offensive line.”
Ultimately, Clark posed the most critical question the Ravens’ brass must answer during negotiations: “What is this franchise without Lamar Jackson?”
The reality of a hard-cap league means that allocating a massive percentage of resources to the quarterback position inherently makes team-building more complex. Solak acknowledged this friction, noting the difficulty of building a complete team when “these quarterbacks [are] making 10% of the cap, 20% of the cap.” However, he quickly dismissed the idea that general manager Eric DeCosta should use that as an excuse to shortchange his franchise star.
“If I’m Eric DeCosta, I run the Ravens, I’m selling a kidney to give Lamar Jackson another million dollars,” Solak joked. “I don’t know how much a kidney costs these days, but I am doing whatever I can to give that guy as much money as possible.”
While the sheer dollar amount should be unquestioned for a player of Jackson’s caliber, Solak did offer a pragmatic caveat regarding the deal’s framework. Because Jackson’s electrifying game relies heavily on his unparalleled mobility, protecting the team’s long-term future remains a valid factor.
“You worry about structure a little bit because he’s going to fall off athletically, so maybe you try to get yourself some trap doors in that contract to get out early if he starts to get unhealthy,” Solak advised. “But in general, as two-time MVP, you give him a blank check.”
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The overarching message to Baltimore is crystal clear. The front office can negotiate the finer points of guaranteed money and exit clauses, but the total compensation must reflect his true value.
Lamar Jackson is the heart, soul, and driving force of the Ravens. He is, without question, worth every single dime.
