It’s not often a quarterback of the caliber of Lamar Jackson becomes available, especially at the age of 26. But for some strange reason, that is exactly what has happened, and teams don’t seem to be rushing to sign him.
One of the reasons a lot of reporters and the public alike tend to point to when trying to explain why Jackson doesn’t have a deal yet is the fact that he doesn’t have an agent. Although that may be true, and an agent could help smooth the process, Jackson is clear on what he feels he is worth. And no agent would be able to convince him otherwise.
Lamar Jackson is a former unanimous MVP, a feat that has only ever been achieved on one other occasion and it was by the GOAT Tom Brady. Usually, when a quarterback achieves something of that magnitude while on their rookie contract, the team that drafted them almost always keeps and pays them what they are asking.
However, in this instance, what Jackson is asking for is quite uncommon and is probably why the Baltimore Ravens have been reluctant to give him a new deal and why teams haven’t been flocking for his signature as they were doing for Deshaun Watson just one year ago.
Lamar Jackson believes he is worth what he is asking for, here are three reasons why he may actually be right.
Reason 1: Lamar Jackson Wins Games
Lamar Jackson is one of the most exciting players to ever play in the NFL, but that’s not all he does. Since coming into the league, he has done nothing but win. Prior to Jackson’s arrival in Baltimore, the Ravens made the playoffs in just one of the previous five seasons.
The Ravens drafted Jackson in 2018 and was a backup to veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. In week 10, with the Ravens sitting at 4-5, head coach John Harbaugh made the decision to insert the rookie as the starter and they never looked back. The Ravens went 6-1, with the one loss coming in overtime against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs Jackson on their way to a 10-6 season and a playoff berth.
The following season would go down as one of the greatest individual seasons of all time. Jackson helped Ravens to the best record in football that year, leading the league in touchdown passes with 36 adding another 7 on the ground.
In his first full season as a starter, Lamar Jackson was the MVP of the league. Since becoming a starter, the Ravens 45-14 with Jackson as the starter and are 4-8 without him. They are a completely different team when he is not in the lineup.
In 2021, the Ravens were 8-4 and well-placed in the AFC to make the post-season. Then Jackson rolled his ankle in the pocket and was forced to miss the reason of the season, the Ravens went 0-5 without him and missed the playoffs.
His impact on any team would be almost identical because he’s just that unique of a player. And although under usual circumstances quarterback wins aren’t an accurate assessment of a player’s importance, the difference between when he is playing and he isn’t is clear to see.