MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Ravens pull plug on contract talks with Lamar Jackson



On Wednesday, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said that the deadline for doing a new deal with the team was “probably” Friday. On Friday, the Ravens removed the “probably.”

“Despite best efforts on both sides, we were unable to reach a contract extension with Lamar Jackson,” Ravens G.M. Eric DeCosta said in a statement. “We greatly appreciate how he has handled this process and we are excited about our team with Lamar leading the way. We will continue to work towards a long-term contract after the season, but for now we are looking forward to a successful 2022 campaign.”


While the statement seemingly closes the door on doing a deal from now until the end of the season, the Ravens likely would give Jackson whatever their last, best offer was, if he decides to accept it. (And if that happens before he potentially suffers a significant injury.) Possibly implicit in DeCosta’s statement is an acknowledgement that Jackson has conclusively refused their last, best offer.

Hopefully, Jackson made a good decision in choosing between Door No. 1 (the team’s best offer on a long-term deal) and Door No. 2 (whatever happens next). In a subsequent item, we’ll lay out what Door No. 2 may look like for Jackson and the Ravens. By not accepting the team’s last, best offer, that’s the path Jackson clearly has chosen to follow.

PFT

 

Taking a look at the options for Lamar Jackson, Ravens in 2023 and beyond

If, as it appears, the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson won’t be working out a new contract before the end of the 2022 season, what happens next?

Here’s a look at the various options and deadlines that will apply in 2023, if the two sides do indeed get through the season without a new contract.


First, the Ravens and Jackson will have an opportunity to negotiate a long-term deal through the deadline for application of the franchise tag, on March 7 at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Second, absent a deal, the Ravens will have to decide by March 7 at 4:00 p.m. ET whether to apply the franchise tag and, perhaps more importantly, whether to apply the non-exclusive or exclusive version of it.

The non-exclusive tag for 2023 will likely be in the range of $32 million. That approach would allow another team to sign Jackson to an offer sheet. The Ravens would have five days to match. If they don’t, they would get two first-round draft picks as compensation.

The exclusive tag would keep Jackson from talking to other teams. But it would be expensive — the average of the five highest quarterback cap numbers as of April 21. Subject to new deals and renegotiations, that number likely will be in the range of $46 million for 2023.

The Ravens also could apply the transition tag, which would entail a lower salary than the franchise tag for 2023 (roughly $29 million or so) and only a right to match with no compensation.

After a tag is applied, the Ravens and Jackson would have until July 15 at 4:00 p.m. ET to finalize a multi-year deal. After that, they’d have to wait until the conclusion of the 2023 regular season to sign a long-term deal.

In 2024, Jackson would get a 20-percent raise over his 2023 compensation, if he’s tagged again. For a non-exclusive tag of roughly $32 million, that’s $38.4 million. For an exclusive tag of $46 million, it would be $55.2 million. Again, a July 15 deadline would apply for a long-term deal.

In 2025, Jackson likely would become a free agent, since the franchise tag would entail a 44-percent bump over 2024. That’s $55 million under the non-exclusive tag and nearly $80 million under the exclusive tag. They also could use the transition tag in 2025, at a 20-percent increase over his 2024 salary.

Jackson could choose to play on a year-by-year basis. That would put him at (with the non-exclusive tag) $93.4 million over three years. With the exclusive tag, the three-year payout would be $124.2 million.

Baltimore’s offer would need to be compared to the year-to-year amounts. Assuming the Ravens don’t want to risk losing him, Door No. 1 means $124.2 million over the next three years.

To get that, of course, Jackson will have to stay healthy and continue to play at a high level. The Ravens could walk away at any time, if they want.

Jackson isn’t required to go along, of course. He could request a trade. He could hold out. He could finagle a situation in which other teams line up to trade for him and to pay him, like Deshaun Watson did.

Regardless, at some point he’ll have to negotiate a long-term deal, with someone. Unless, of course, he suffers the kind of injury that causes no one to want to pay him a market-level contract.

That’s the biggest risk he’s taking by not doing a long-term deal now. Given the way he plays the position, it’s a risk that needs to be taken seriously.

PFT

 

The Ravens better sign an extension, that franchise tag gets expensive really quick

 

John Harbaugh confident Lamar Jackson will be Ravens QB for a long time



The question of whether Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will get a new contract before the 2022 season was answered on Friday.

Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta said that talks on a new deal have been shelved until after Jackson wraps up his fifth NFL season. There are a lot of directions things could go once the Ravens and Jackson get to that point and the failure to reach an agreement now will lead some to doubt whether that will happen at any point, but head coach John Harbaugh said at a Friday press conference that he still believes that a long-term deal will be struck.


“I think all the feelings you would expect that anybody would have you probably have,” Harbaugh said. “Probably not for me as much because I wasn’t directly involved in any back and forth. You’re hopeful. Those things will work themselves out in the end, I’m confident in that. I said at the beginning, that’ll happen when it’s time and when it’s time it’ll happen. Lamar’s playing quarterback, he’s going to be playing quarterback here for a long time. He and I talked about it yesterday a little bit, like ‘OK, let’s go be our best and go focus on football.’ That’s what he’s been doing all along. I know nothing will change with that and just focused on Sunday.”

Sunday brings a road game with the Jets and the first of at least 17 highly scrutinized performances that will set the stage for some big decisions next offseason.

PFT

 

I disagree.. this is one of the few instances where this works in the teams favor. An extension makes him a top 3 paid QB… maybe not the top, but it would have to be damn close.

So, I’m this case in 2022, one of 3 things happens

1) he gets hurt, which lets the Ravens off the hook if it’s real bad
2) he returns to 2019 MVP form
3) he plays, stays healthy, but his mediocrity gets more defined.

So, if he gets hurt, but would return to start the new season, you give him the non-exclusive, let everyone else set his market, then steal the contract from them… or take your two first round draft picks

If he stays healthy, but plays outside the top ten, you give him his non-exclusive… again letting the market dictate his value, which would be inflated even though he was mediocre BUT they know what they have… if they think it’s time to move on, no matter what the top offer is, they happily take their (2) first rounders and move on. It’s very likely it would be someone wanting a ready made franchise QB and the first pick at least would be very high, giving them a chance for a replacement immediately in the draft.

Finally, he returns to MVP form. If that happens, the team will have a very successful season as well and the franchise tag would be a bargain. That would give them time to negotiate through July exclusively for a long term deal, or he plays on the tag. It doesn’t get real complicated until 2024.

 

There some scuttlebutt on PFT (FWIW) that the Deshaun Watson contract may have lead to the derailment of the Jackson contract talks. Apparently, Jackson wants a fully guaranteed contract also.

Bottom line, there are many factors involved because of the differing and various contracts signed and given to Cousins, Wilson and so forth. Its a bickering mess at the moment.

 

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson turned down contract larger than Russell Wilson's in key areas

The expected news became official on Friday when quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens officially paused contract negotiations prior to the 2022 season. Jackson's focus is on this year, while head coach John Harbaugh made it clear he knows Jackson will be the team's QB "for a long time."

What kind of deal did Jackson turn down?

Sources say Jackson was offered a deal that eclipsed that of Broncos QB Russell Wilson in key areas, with Baltimore's attempted extension being more than the $49 million per year in average new money that Wilson received on Sept. 1. The belief is that it also approached or beat Wilson in terms of guaranteed money, with Wilson receiving 68% of his deal guaranteed.

It was nearly that of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who will earn $50 million per year over the next three years in a highly guaranteed deal struck in March. With regards to guaranteed money, it fell short of the $230 million, fully guaranteed deal that Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson received after Cleveland traded for Watson in March.

In fact, fully guaranteed money is believed to be at the heart of the issue. Jackson is seeking as close to $230 million as possible, choosing to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract until he gets his desired deal.

Meanwhile, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti spoke out in the spring, telling a small group of local reporters, "I don't know that (Watson) should've been the first guy to get a fully guaranteed contract. To me, that's something that is groundbreaking, and it'll make negotiations harder with others."

Jackson is representing himself, engaging in conversations with general manager Eric DeCosta on the deal. In a statement, DeCosta said, "We appreciate how he has handled this process."


Jackson is on his fully guaranteed fifth-year option this year, earning $23.02 million.

After the season, he faces the first of two franchise tags, with the non-exclusive tag equaling $29.7 million and the exclusive tag $45.5 million (with both numbers subject to change over the next year). If there is no deal, Jackson likely would get another tag the following year -- and then likely face a tag so high he'll become a free agent.

But there is risk, considering only the fifth-year option is guaranteed right now. Jackson has always done things his own way, and based on Friday's decisions, he's set to bet on himself.

NFL.com
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So, is Lamar Jackson greedy, selfish of just plain old self-centered?

He's not a member of the Cleveland Browns, so why does he hold the Ravens ownership to the same level?

I dont get some of these guys... I cant relate to the stubbornness or having to keep up with the 'joneses'. He must think pretty highly of himself by denying a contract in the ballpark of Wilson and Rodgers. He must be a gambler of sorts and it could be his demise.

 

Jackson isn’t the best. He wants to be the highest paid player in the league and it all be guaranteed. I hope the Ravens get on the hook for that deal. That will be an anchor on their team doing anything for years.

 

Dak Prescott needs surgery on joint above thumb in his right hand



When Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott left the field in the fourth quarter with an injured hand, he seemed to say to coach Mike McCarthy, “I broke it.”

Indeed he did.


Owner Jerry Jones told reporters after the game that Prescott needs surgery, and that he’ll miss a few weeks. The fracture is in the joint above the thumb on Prescott’s throwing hand.

The injury likely means that Cooper Rush will take over, unless the Cowboys plan to make a move for someone like Mason Rudolph.

The Cowboys host the Bengals next Sunday. The face the Giants in New York the following Monday night, followed by games against the Commanders and at the Rams. In Week Six, the play the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday Night Football.

PFT

 

Patriots QB Mac Jones suffers back injury in loss to Dolphins

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones injured his back during Sunday's 20-7 season-opening loss to the Miami Dolphins, the team announced. Jones was not made available to the media after the game.

Jones was seen by multiple reporters entering the X-ray room at Hard Rock Stadium following the contest. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Jones' X-rays came back negative and he will undergo further evaluation on his back when the team returns to Foxborough, Mass.

In the first start of his second season, Jones went 21-of-30 for 215 yards, a touchdown pass and an interception. The QB was sacked twice and also lost a fumble.

It's unclear when Jones suffered the injury or what its extent is.

NFL.com

 

49ers QB Trey Lance after loss to Bears: 'I have a lot of stuff to clean up'

Trey Lance quickly found out how tough life can be as a starting quarterback in the NFL.

In his first game as the lead man for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Lance's bad moments outweighed the good ones in a close 19-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. Naturally, the second-year QB took the brunt of the criticism despite flashing his potential during what was his third career start.

Lance was quick to list all the mistakes on his own accord following the defeat.

"We made too many mistakes. Defense kept us in the game," Lance said, via the team's website. "I had a big miss to Tyler Kroft in the end zone. I tried to throw a perfect ball, but I should've just put it right on him, he was wide open. Turned the ball over, took a sack, then knocked us out of field goal range. I shouldn't have missed Deebo Samuel on the third down, missed another third down to Jauan Jennings -- just too many mistakes."

Of course, the rainy weather in Chicago didn't make things easier for the 22 year old, who completed 13 of 28 passes for 164 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. But Lance's biggest blunder came during the game's most crucial moment.

Down three points with about 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Lance threw a pass intended for Jennings near midfield. Bears safety Eddie Jackson read the play perfectly, picking it off in stride at midfield. The Bears went on to score a touchdown on the ensuing possession, but the three-point lead would've been enough.

San Francisco got the ball back twice before it was all said and done, but Lance could only muster 42 yards of offense in those possessions. In three fourth-quarter drives, the 49ers turned the ball over three tries with Lance's INT and two consecutive turnover on downs.


Lance had a handful of impressive throws and added 54 rushing yards on 13 attempts to round out his day. But losing to a Bears team that went 6-11 last year isn't up to par for a 49ers squad that reached the NFC Championship Game last season.

To his credit, Lance took ownership of his mistakes, but he had a positive outlook on it all in the end.

"I have a lot of stuff to clean up, for sure," Lance said. "But man, I'm excited. I've still got my head up. I'm excited to get ready to go next week."

NFL.com

 

Matt LaFleur fell on the sword for the Packers' Week 1 performance, but Aaron Rodgers preached patience after the Vikings' 23-7 win in Minnesota.

LaFleur gave a blunt assessment of his own performance as a play-caller in a game in which the Packers averaged 6.7 yards per pass attempt and appeared to get away from the one productive unit -- the run game -- too early.

"Obviously, it wasn't very good," LaFleur said. "That starts with me. I have to have a better plan for the team and get the guys prepared."

LaFleur even threw a few logs on his own fire when it came to the offensive distribution.

"Anytime Aaron Jones comes off of a game with eight touches, that's not good enough," LaFleur said.

But Rodgers, who was visibly upset on the sideline as the Packers stumbled out of the gate offensively, seemed to have mellowed a bit by the time postgame rolled around.

"We had a lot of chances today," Rodgers said. "Not taking anything away from (the Vikings') defense, but we hurt ourselves many times, myself included. I had a lot of opportunities to score a lot more than seven (points)."


There's truth in what both men said. LaFleur has authored more on-point game plans than not in his mostly brilliant Packers career. But he certainly won't be framing this call sheet.

The Packers came out passive and unwilling to test the Vikings' secondary deep more than a few times early. Part of that understandably could be chalked up to the offensive line being quite beat up.

But getting away from his two best playmakers in the game, Jones and A.J. Dillon, ended up backfiring. They combined for 23 touches; realistically, that number should be closer to 40 than to 20.

Rodgers agreed on that point. But he also saw the bright side of what outwardly was a pretty dim performance when it mattered most.

"Look, it's tough to win in this league, and definitely tough to win when you get in your own way too many times," he said. "I feel like we did some good things. We maybe gotta get some more touches for Jonesy and Dillon."

Rodgers did make sure to point out that it was far from ideal, though.

"(We) made a lot of mistakes in the perimeter, missed some throws, so there's a lot to clean up all the way around," he said.

But he might be onto something in one regard: The Packers struggling in Week 1 is not new. They were abysmal in that bizarre season opener a year ago against the Saints, losing 38-3 and amassing only 229 yards and 14 first downs -- far worse than today.


For refresher's sake, the Packers would win their next seven games, finish the season 13-4 and Rodgers would win AP NFL Most Valuable Player for a second consecutive season. Sometimes bad things happen in Week 1 that can be quickly washed away.

But that team had Davante Adams, something this club does not. While Adams was busy catching 10 passes for 141 yards and a score in his Raiders debut, the Packers' wide receivers collectively totaled 12 catches for 120 yards, the vast majority of which came after falling behind by 17 points.

An early drop by rookie Christian Watson on a pass that should have been a 75-yard touchdown set the tone for the day.

"Drops are going to happen, it's part of the game," Rodgers said. "It's the mental stuff that we just can't have because we're hurting ourselves."

Perhaps LaFleur will rethink his decision to not play his starters in the preseason, something he's now done two years in a row. Doing it last year was one thing; taking that approach with a unit that's makeup has changed markedly is quite another.

"This is two years in a row that we've come out and not looked prepared," LaFleur said. "Certainly all of us will look inward, and will make the necessary corrections."

Those corrections could come as soon as Sept. 18, when the Packers host the 1-0 Chicago Bears. Even after Chicago's fine defensive performance in Week 1, it's worth reminding that Rodgers has owned the Bears in recent matchups.

If that trend continues, just like Green Bay's slow start a year ago, the Packers should be just fine, even as ugly as Sunday's result was.

NFL.com

 

Patrick Mahomes has sixth career game with five touchdown passes



Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes eventually will be one of the all-time greats. He’s already matching some of their accomplishments, only one game into his fifth full season as a starter.

On Sunday at Arizona, Mahomes threw five touchdown passes. It was the sixth game of his career with five touchdown passes.


According to the NFL, Mahomes is already tied for fourth on the all-time list for games with five touchdown passes, matching Hall of Famer Dan Fouts and future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger with six.

Mahomes needs three more games with five touchdown passes to catch Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and future Hall of Famer Tom Brady in a tie for second place, with nine. At that point, Mahomes will need only two more games with five or more touchdowns to match future Hall of Famer Drew Brees with 11.

Mahomes was spectacular on Sunday, despite not having Tyreek Hill. Don’t be surprised if it continues all year long.

We’ll see him again in only four nights, when the Chiefs host the Chargers in the first ever streaming-only prime-time regular-season game, on Amazon Prime Video.

PFT

 

Report: Dak Prescott will miss 6-8 weeks



So much of the preseason analysis regarding NFL teams operates under the assumption that all key players will remain healthy, all season long. We know that injuries are inevitable, and that some of them will change everything. We just have no idea when they’ll happen and to whom they’ll happen and how long they’ll happen to be out.

In Dallas, a season with an ominous vibe has taken a disastrous turn, given that quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a broken bone in his hand/wrist on Sunday night against the Buccaneers. The closest thing to a timeline comes from Todd Archer of ESPN.com, who reports that Prescott will miss 6-8 weeks.


Prescott will meet with the team’s hand specialist on Monday. It’s expected that he will have a pin and a plate inserted, in order to stabilize the thumb joint.

The timeline means that Prescott could be back by Week Seven (vs. Lions) or Week Eight (vs. Bears). Dallas has a bye in Week Nine, before finishing their NFC North tour with trips to Green Bay in Week 10 and Minnesota in Week 11.

The Cowboys will try to hold it together with Cooper Rush at quarterback. What other option do they have? Cam Newton is available, but no one has even whispered his name. Trade options are limited to the likes of Mason Rudolph and maybe Gardner Minshew — but why would the Eagles (who know as well as anyone the value of a great backup quarterback) trade their No. 2, to Dallas of all places?

The Cowboys could scour practice squads, from which players can be signed. They can look for free agents. They can hold tryouts. The problem remains that there aren’t enough good quarterbacks to go around. Hell, there aren’t enough bad quarterbacks around. And the Cowboys will have to find a way to win with quarterbacks who, relative to Prescott, are closer to bad than good.

PFT

 

Report: Dak Prescott could return in 4-6 weeks



Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had surgery on his right thumb Monday and it was followed by a more positive report about when he might be able to return to action.

Word has been that Prescott is set to miss 6-8 weeks as the fracture heals, but Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that Prescott could return a bit earlier. Per his report, Prescott could be back in as little as four weeks after what’s described as a “clean” surgery.


The Cowboys play the Bengals, Giants, Commanders, and Rams. They face the Eagles on October 16 in what would be the first possible return date in the revised timeline.

Any path to return will be informed by how Prescott’s bone heals in the coming weeks and resuming throwing would be a sign that the quarterback is closing in on clearance for full football activity.

Cooper Rush is expected to start at quarterback for the Cowboys while Prescott is sidelined.

PFT

 

Lamar Jackson on his contract situation: Respectfully, I’m done talking about it



Six days ago, the Ravens and Lamar Jackson reached an impasse on contract talks. That ended negotiations until after the season as the quarterback repeatedly set the season opener as the deadline to get a deal completed in 2022.

Jackson, who serves as his own agent, now is fully focused on football, declining to answer three questions Wednesday about his contract situation.



“Respectfully, I’m done talking about it,” Jackson said, via Jamison Hensley of ESPN. “I told you guys before, I was going to be done with it Week 1. Week 1 is over with. We’re done talking about it. I’m focused on the Dolphins now.”

A report Sunday indicated Jackson turned down a five-year extension worth over $250 million with $133 million guaranteed. Deshaun Watson‘s fully guaranteed, $230 million contract created a gap between what Jackson wanted in guaranteed money and what the Ravens were willing to pay, and the sides couldn’t close it enough to seal the deal.

A reporter asked Jackson about the guaranteed money, and Jackson smiled and said, “Like I said, I’m done talking about that, respectfully. Dolphin time, man.”

Jackson will make $23.016 million this season on his fifth-year option, the final year of his rookie deal.

PFT

 

Mac Jones a full participant at Patriots practice



Patriots quarterback Mac Jones appears to be good to go.

Although Jones injured his back during Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins, he was a full participant in practice today, the team announced. That suggests that there’s little doubt he’ll be ready to play this week against the Steelers.



Jones played through the injury against the Dolphins and it doesn’t appear that there’s any doubt he can go on Sunday. Behind Jones on the depth chart are veteran Brian Hoyer and rookie Bailey Zappe.

The Patriots had four players who were limited in practice today: safety Joshuah Bledsoe (groin), safety Adrian Phillips (ribs), guard Cole Strange (shoulder) and cornerback Shaun Wade (ankle). One player, linebacker Ja'whaun Bentley (toe), did not practice.

PFT

 

Mitch Trubisky: Having Brian Flores gives us good insight into how Patriots may plan for us

New England’s defense has been tough for quarterbacks to solve for years and years.

But Pittsburgh’s Mitch Trubisky has something working in his favor for this week’s matchup between the Steelers and Patriots — a former New England defensive coach on his team’s staff.


Steelers senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach Brian Flores was with the Patriots from 2008-2018. Trubisky said he’s been picking Flores’ brain throughout the year, but Flores’ knowledge can be especially valuable this week.

“Having coach ‘Flo’ in our meetings and having him to ask about defenses and what he sees from his perspectives has been huge,” Trubisky said in his Wednesday press conference. “I’ve been talking to him throughout OTAs and training camp to just get his perspective on defense, what’s hard to cover and what I see from a quarterback perspective.

“I think him being there gives us a good insight on kind of what they may be talking about and how they may be game planning for us. If we keep those things in mind and have a good work week, I think it can be a good advantage for us.”

Trubisky added that he always expects a “great Patriots defense.”

“They’re fundamentally sound, they get after the football, and they make it hard on the quarterback,” Trubisky said. “We’ve got to have a great week of preparation. You always expect that, to be well coached and to have great players on that side. It’s going to be a good challenge for us.”

PFT

 

Mitch says all the right things. Just don't have the game killing turnover and they could win. Points will be at a premium.