Getty Image / Scott Taetsch
This offseason, the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson reached an impasse in contract negotiations that led to the team franchise tagging the former MVP.
Their decision to use the non-exclusive tag has left them still facing some huge questions about what their future holds at the quarterback position.
Another team could make Jackson a contract offer and acquire the quarterback for a pair of 1st-round picks if the Ravens don’t match. Jackson could not get any offers and choose not to play on the franchise tag, option to instead wait and try to get a long-term deal next offseason.
There is still the possibility Jackson and the Ravens end up agreeing to a long-term deal, but it appears the Ravens turned to a notable backup plan just in case things really don’t work out between them and their star quarterback.
According to Joe Bucs Fan, the Ravens attempted to sign Baker Mayfield this offseason, but the former number 1 overall pick turned them down.
Ravens Tried To Sign Baker Mayfield https://t.co/CB6mSuwNKu pic.twitter.com/CYUN5Xl5Jn
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) March 28, 2023
It’s a decision that worked out pretty well for Baker as he signed a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that will earn him at least $4 million this year and has the potential to earn him another $4.5 million through incentives.
He’ll also get another chance to be a starter in the NFL.
Signing Baker would have given the Baltimore Ravens a solid insurance plan for if Lamar Jackson doesn’t start for them next year and he is already plenty familiar with the AFC North.
Instead, he’ll start a second consecutive year in the NFC South with the hope that he can get his career back on track.
Things didn’t work out for him with the Panthers, but he showed flashes of still being an NFL starter with the Rams and there are certainly worse situations to be in than throwing to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.
In fact, one of those worse situations is the Baltimore Ravens who have yet to give Lamar Jackson a true WR1 to throw to.