On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the fourth quarter, the Baltimore Ravens defense forgot about Tyreek Hill and spoiled an electrifying performance from their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson.
He went 21-29 for 318 yards and 3 TDs. He also rushed for 119 yards and 1 TD on only nine attempts. That’s a ridiculous rushing average of 13.2 yards per carry.
Lamar did everything we all knew he could and made history in the process.
First, he broke Michael Vick’s 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback with his 11th 100-yard game. Vick accomplished the previous record of 10 games in 13 NFL seasons.
Lamar did it only two games into his fifth season.
Then he became the first player in NFL history with both a 75-yard TD pass and a 75-yard TD run in a single game.
Not the first quarterback. No, the first NFL player ever.
Despite Lamar doing everything he could, except play defensive back, to win, Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa took the shine by throwing for 469 yards and 6 TDs, including 3 in the fourth quarter, propelling the Dolphins to a come-from-behind victory on the road.
But that wasn’t Lamar’s fault.
He put up big numbers and, once again, dismissed the accusations that he can’t throw.
His pinpoint passes resulted in a short TD to Mark Andrews, a beautiful TD to Demarcus Robinson placed perfectly between two defenders and a short pass to Rashad Bateman who took it 75 yards to the house.
Lamar silenced the doubters who said he couldn’t pass and, for two weeks, has quelled the rumblings over him not utilizing an agent.
Yet so far, Lamar has proven to be his strongest and best representation.
He’s thrown for 531 yards and 6 TDs in two games this season and is on his way to posting his third 1,000-yard rushing season (he’s currently the only quarterback to have two).
Fans and media pundits have said that he’s making a huge mistake by not signing with an agent. Those same individuals said he was crazy for turning down the Ravens’ reported final offer; a five-year, $250 million extension with $133 million guaranteed.
That deal would have jumped him ahead of Russell Wilson (five years, $242.5 million with $48.5 million annually and $166 million guaranteed) and Kyler Murray (five years, $230.5 million with $46 million per year and $189.5 million guaranteed) in terms of overall pay and annual salary.
But Lamar reportedly wanted fully guaranteed money like Deshaun Watson.
So he’s betting on himself to secure the big payday he rightfully deserves.
Watson signed a five-year, $230 million, fully guaranteed contract with the Cleveland Browns. Yet he hasn’t played an NFL game in over a season and is currently suspended for 11 games.
After seeing what Lamar is doing this season alone, the Ravens have to be sweating.
If Lamar remains locked in and continues his blistering pace, his asking price in the offseason will go the route of Fat Joe’s now famous quote.
Still, his plan is fraught with risk
The Ravens’ star QB will make $23.016 million in his fifth-year option but loses his guaranteed money after this season.
In his goal to secure a massive extension, Jackson is being advised by his mother and the NFLPA in negotiations that will re-commence after this season.
The Ravens, while they want to retain him and keep him happy, are expected to franchise tag Jackson to avoid losing him in free agency if negotiations fail.
While it’s risky, it’s not an unfathomable scenario.
Ten years ago, another Ravens QB also ventured down the same path Jackson is journeying along now.
In 2012, current Jets QB Joe Flacco bet on himself and led the team to their second Super Bowl title. Afterward, he became the league’s highest-paid player in history at the time by signing a six-year, $120 million deal, with $52 million guaranteed, with Baltimore.
He bet on himself and won a Super Bowl ring.
Jackson understands the risks of following suit and is dedicated to doing the same.
“It was a pretty big risk last season. The year before,” said Jackson after he was asked about the risks of playing with no guaranteed money after this season. “I’m just playing football. Anything can happen. God forbid the wrong thing happens.”
So far, the right things have happened since he took over as the team’s full-time starter midway through the 2018 season.
After becoming the Ravens’ starter that season, Baltimore is 38-13 (.745) with him and 2-5 (.286) without him. The 2x Pro Bowler was also the unanimous NFL MVP in 2019.
Over his career, he has completed almost 64% of his passes and thrown for over 10,000 yards with 90 TDs and 32 INTs.
While he has taken his share of hits and missed a career-high five games last season, Jackson has performed at a level not many have achieved.
Yet he’s still doubted when he shouldn’t be.
As we noted in a previous story:
“Out of the five quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, only two still remain with their original teams- Josh Allen of the Bills and Lamar Jackson of the Ravens.
In 2021, Allen signed a six-year, $258 million deal with the Bills, of which $150 million is guaranteed.
Jackson won an NFL MVP. Allen has not.“
Bill Polian infamously stated that Lamar Jackson would be a better wide receiver than quarterback.
He doubted Lamar and it blew up in his face.
Baltimore, don’t make the same mistake. Pay Lamar.
