The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson opened the 2022 NFL season with an easy 24-9 win over the New York Jets. In the game, Jackson went 17 of 31 for 213 yards and three touchdown passes, the highlight being his no-look toss to wide receiver Devin Duvernay, that should’ve garnered more hype, but since it wasn’t Matt Stafford, Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers, it gets overlooked.
Sunday’s win was a culmination of a week where Jackson and the Ravens failed to reach agreement on a lucrative long-term deal. With Jackson’s self-imposed deadline to reach a deal being this past Friday, the belief is he’ll play out the final season of his current deal.
Another one @Dev_Duv5‼️
Tune in on CBS‼️ pic.twitter.com/vqyguEkgdB
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 11, 2022
Jackson Addresses Elephant In The Room
Following Sunday’s win, Jackson addressed rumors that he turned down a deal that reached $250M overall and up to $160 million in guaranteed money. Jackson said that’s not true and even told ESPN’s Dianna Russini the deal offered was between $160-$180 million and he declined it.
Russini asked Jackson, “are you gonna ride it out all year? Jackson responded, “we’ll see,” with a sly smile.
Russini also asked Jackson if he turned down a $250 million deal. Jackson asked “guaranteed?” Russia said “yes.” Jackson then responded with a resounding “no.”
Jackson Continues To Win Despite Limited Weaponry
Throughout his career Jackson has never had great wide receivers like many other quarterbacks. Take Sunday for instance, his three touchdown passes went to unproven Ravens draft picks over the last couple seasons in the aforementioned Duvernay and last year’s first-round pick Rashod Bateman. One has to wonder how it’d look if he ever had a guy like Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, DeAndre Hopkins or Justin Jefferson.
This touchdown catch from @Lj_era8 to @R_bateman2 was a thing of beauty. 😍 pic.twitter.com/iO72KhUaRX
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 11, 2022
This offseason, former Ravens wide receiver Willie Snead talked about the lack of topflight receivers Jackson is playing with weekly and how he still makes it happen.
In a June interview with the “Go Long” podcast, Snead talked about Jackson’s lack of weaponry stemming from the type of offense Baltimore runs.
“Yeah, it’s tough. When we’re comparing Greg Roman to a Sean Payton offense or Greg Roman to a Jon Gruden offense, it’s like night and day. There’s a lot more creativity in the passing game. … If the Ravens had more creativity in the passing game and they put more emphasis on it every season, I think more receivers would be open to coming. Because Lamar is a great player to play with. He’s all about the team. He’s fun. He brings energy every single day. You want to play with quarterbacks like that. But the system pushes guys away.”
The system is about big tight ends and physical run blocking receivers, which is how the Ravens have built their team. Despite that, Jackson has still led the Ravens a to a 38-12 record with him under center. He won the 2019 NFL MVP and that season he led the league in touchdown passes with 36.
"Very positive. It boosts our confidence." @Lj_era8 on the play of the receiving corps. pic.twitter.com/T4XJGegRga
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 11, 2022
Now the Ravens are playing with fire by not extending him. He looks very focused, and without him the Ravens aren’t close to the same potential juggernaut.
Read More TSL Stories:
NFL Record Seven African-American GMs To Begin 2022 Season – The Shadow League
