On the NFL mix Wednesday, Eric DeCosta was requested whether or not he has to contemplate buying and selling quarterback Lamar Jackson in some unspecified time in the future and responded that few groups have made extra trades since he turned the Baltimore Ravens‘ normal supervisor 4 years in the past.
“That being mentioned, I covet nice gamers. I covet quarterbacks. And I really like Lamar,” DeCosta informed Baltimore-area reporters in Indianapolis. “So, that has not factored in a single time with me. We need to do what’s greatest for the membership. We attempt to do what we are able to for Lamar. We need to make everyone glad.”
DeCosta expressed hope {that a} deal could be reached with Jackson earlier than subsequent week’s franchise tag deadline regardless of no settlement to date after two years of negotiations. DeCosta mentioned he met with Jackson just lately, including, “Each perceive the urgency of the scenario.”
If the edges cannot attain a brand new contract by Tuesday, Baltimore must put the franchise tag on Jackson to maintain him from changing into an unrestricted free agent. The tag would take up all the Ravens’ out there wage cap area and severely restrict what the staff can do in free company, which probably contains including a much-needed extensive receiver and a beginning cornerback.
“You possibly can’t win on this league with out a robust quarterback. I imply, that is been confirmed,” DeCosta mentioned. “So, we wish Lamar right here. We predict he is probably the greatest quarterbacks within the league. He is actually one among our greatest gamers, and we wish him again. We perceive that dwelling in a world with out a quarterback is a nasty world to stay in.”
In response to sources, Jackson desires a completely assured deal just like the one given to Deshaun Watson final yr, and the Ravens have been reluctant to supply that as a result of they consider Watson’s deal is extra of an outlier than a precedent. DeCosta known as it a “robust negotiation” with Jackson, who is without doubt one of the few high-profile gamers who represents himself reasonably than using an agent.
“I do not need to stay in a world the place there is no optimism, the place I am simply going to surrender hope,” DeCosta mentioned. “You guys have seen me throughout video games. Generally I am in a darkish place on the finish of the sport as a result of there is no hope. We have misplaced the sport. I do not see that right here. I will not really feel that right here. I refuse that. I’ve seen loads of offers occur when issues look bleak, or I have never seen offers after I would’ve thought it was a slam dunk. It takes two individuals to do it. I stay optimistic. I’ve no purpose to not stay optimistic.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh mentioned that he’s “fervently hopeful” a deal will get finished and that he believes “200 %” that Jackson desires to be with the Ravens. All through this offseason, Harbaugh has deliberate for Lamar being a part of this staff going ahead. Harbaugh mentioned that, when speaking to offensive coordinator candidates, “All these interviews have been primarily based on Lamar being the quarterback.”
“He is my quarterback, he is my man,” Harbaugh mentioned. “I really like him.”
If the Ravens have to make use of the tag on Jackson, DeCosta wouldn’t say whether or not the staff would use the non-exclusive ($32 million) or unique one ($45 million).
“Positive, they’re massive numbers,” DeCosta mentioned. “We have recognized they’re massive numbers, [and] we’re ready for that. And we have 4 or 5 or 6 completely different plans primarily based on what occurs.”
Beneath the non-exclusive tag, Jackson might signal a suggestion sheet with one other staff however Baltimore has the best to match it or take two first-round picks as compensation. Beneath the unique tag, the Ravens management Jackson’s rights in addition to any commerce talks and compensation with different groups.
The Ravens, who presently have $21 million in cap area, must create extra room to suit Jackson’s tag beneath the cap.
DeCosta acknowledged that Jackson’s unresolved contract scenario is a “wrench” within the staff’s plans going ahead, particularly in the case of extending contracts for different gamers.
“It does create somewhat little bit of a haze as to what the long run goes to appear like along with your roster,” DeCosta mentioned. “There are some issues that we’re not going to do proper now that possibly we might attempt to do. However there is no larger query proper now, no larger determination, [and] there is no larger problem for this group transferring ahead than this contract.”
