The Baltimore Ravens made a risky move by trading their star running back, who is now leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns. Now, after watching Lamar Jackson dismantle the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, it appears that the Ravens may have made a costly mistake.
Lamar Jackson’s record-setting dismantling of the Colts could make the Ravens’ costly mistake look even worse than it already does. Read more in detail here: lamar jackson playoff record.
Lamar Jackson didn’t completely control the game, but he more than made up for it with a strong finish that helped the Baltimore Ravens win on Monday Night Football. In the fourth quarter and overtime, the dual-threat quarterback inflicted significant damage with both his strong right arm and his lightning-quick legs, causing too many difficulties for an Indianapolis Colts defense that had done a fantastic job limiting Greg Roman’s attack in the first half.
Jackson’s record-setting performance at work demonstrated why he is really a generational talent, and based on his performance so far, he may earn MVP honors for the second time in three years. However, with his financial future in jeopardy, his complete destruction of the Colts may make the Ravens’ expensive blunder seem much worse.
The Ravens won a well-deserved victory against the Colts because to Lamar Jackson’s record-setting performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLC fpgv078
The Ravens defeated the Colts by a final score of 31-25, giving them their fourth win of the season. Of course, it would not have occurred if their star quarterback had not delivered a historic performance.
In fact, in what was arguably one of the finest performances of his short NFL career, Jackson set several records.
In the fourth quarter, with his team down by 16 points, the 6-foot-2, 212-pound playmaker led a stunning rally that culminated in a game-winning touchdown throw to Marquise Brown. The game-winning pass capped off a performance that Ravens head coach John Harbaugh called one of the best he’d ever seen.
And it’s simple to understand why he praised his quarterback so highly when you look at the statistics.
Jackson became the first quarterback in league history to complete at least 85 percent of his throws in a 400-yard game, in addition to establishing a club record with 442 passing yards. He was also the only player in NFL history to throw for 400 yards, four touchdowns, zero interceptions, and 50 running yards in a same game.
Oh, and he also holds the record for the greatest completion percentage (86%) in a 40-pass game.
After his awe-inspiring performance against the Colts, Jackson had much to grin about. On the other hand, considering the possible financial implications of the team’s most important player putting up big statistics and boosting his case for a record-setting deal, the Ravens’ front office may not have been so upbeat after the game.
Jackson’s outstanding performance may make Baltimore’s expensive blunder seem even worse.
Although the Colts kept Lamar Jackson in check for the first half, the Ravens star dominated the fourth quarter and overtime. | Getty Images/Patrick Smith
By moving up to get Jackson with the last selection in the first round of the 2018 draft, Baltimore acquired a franchise-altering prospect. And, after he took over full-time starting responsibilities, it was clear he would create significant issues due to his unusual agility and propensity for generating big plays. And by slicing through defenses with his diverse skillset, Jackson has placed himself in a position to profit from his early success.
The Ravens, on the other hand, have yet to renew his contract.
The 24-year-old is still on his rookie contract, with a ridiculously low salary of $1.77 million for the 2021 season. While that figure will rise to $23 million in 2022 when the club exercises his fifth-year option, Jackson’s lack of long-term financial stability adds a degree of danger to the equation.
Baltimore, on the other hand, has made a costly error by allowing the issue to go on. Rather than signing the dynamic signal-caller to a multi-year contract at any time in the last ten months, the club has been more cautious. Will Jackson’s price tag rise over the course of the season as he sets records and emerges as a strong MVP candidate?
Remember how the Dallas Cowboys went franchise-tag in 2020 after refusing to fulfill Dak Prescott’s contractual demands. When it came down to it, Jerry Jones had to pay more money than he would have a year earlier, as Prescott signed a $160 million contract with $126 million guaranteed, despite suffering a horrific ankle injury.
Jackson’s asking price could rise if he stays healthy (he’s only missed two games in his career) and continues to display the skill set that made him an unstoppable force in 2019. In the end, the longer the Ravens take to pay him, the more chances he’ll have to show he’s deserving of a larger deal with more guaranteed money.
What would be a reasonable salary for a quarterback with such a diverse skill set?
Jackson, Lamar!!! Should at the very least ask for what Josh Allen recently received for his next deal. Ravens can’t say no, right?
— Josh Vaughan (@RB4JC) on the 12th of October, 2021
Baltimore can’t afford to lose Jackson, but calculating the figures for a contract extension is proving difficult. After all, no one else in the NFL compares to him as a quarterback.
Should he match Patrick Mahomes’ 10-year, $503 million contract after his first Super Bowl victory?
Because of his lack of postseason success, it’s difficult to place Jackson in that category. In four playoff games, he’s only completed 55.9% of his throws for three touchdowns and five interceptions.
Three of the games were lost by the Ravens, which was unsurprising.
Is he, however, deserving of the same pay as Josh Allen?
Given that the Buffalo Bills star signed a six-year, $258 million contract despite having a 2-2 postseason record and basically one season of top performance, it seems more than fair. Although Jackson lacks Allen’s height, strength, or pure arm ability, he provides more as a runner and has a longer track record of success.
In the end, there’s no reason why Lamar Jackson can’t become the league’s second or third highest-paid quarterback sooner rather than later. And if he wins his second MVP award and leads the Ravens to a long playoff run, he may end up with a record-breaking deal.
Pro Football Reference provided all statistics. Spotrac provided all contract information.
RELATED: The Chiefs are facing a major crisis that even a perfect Patrick Mahomes wouldn’t be able to solve.
Related Tags
- lamar jackson stats 2020
- where is lamar jackson from
- lamar jackson hair
