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Lamar Jackson is in the final year of his contract with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2022 NFL season. The two sides have been negotiating a long-term deal for more than a year now, but have been unable to agree on the details.
This puts Lamar Jackson's future with the team in serious jeopardy as the 2023 NFL off-season is rapidly approaching.
Further complicating things and playing a major role in their financial situation is a massive roster move the Ravens recently made. They signed superstar linebacker Roquan Smith to a brand new contract extension worth $100 million over five years. This is a massive financial commitment for defensive players, especially linebackers, and could affect their plans for Lamar Jackson.
Many NFL fans recently jumped on Twitter to express their frustrations with the Ravens' decision to give Smith a new contract before settling on a deal with their talented quarterback. Some believe the move is a direct indication that Lamar Jackson's time with the Ravens is running critically short. Here are some of the top comments on the situation.
Many fans believe the Ravens have already made up their minds that they aren't going to give Lamar Jackson the contract he's been looking for. He is seeking to become one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league, especially after winning an NFL MVP award. They may not be able to afford him after paying their middle linebacker one of the biggest defensive contracts in the entire league.
Highest-paid defensive players in the NFL: Where does Roquan Smith rank?
The Baltimore Ravens acquired Roquan Smith via trade with the Chicago Bears during the 2022 NFL season. He has helped solidify their entire defensive unit, as he's one of the best middle linebackers in the entire NFL.
The Ravens proceeded to make it a priority to extend his contract, giving him a new deal worth $100 million over five years. They came to an agreement immediately following the conclusion of the regular season.
At $20 million in AAV, Roquan Smith is now among the 15 highest-paid defensive players in the NFL. He's tied for 12th place with Jalen Ramsey, Von Miller, and Chris Jones.
Every defensive player with a higher AAV than Smith is either a pass rusher or a cornerback. Middle linebackers aren't considered to be in a premium position, but Smith is setting a new standard. He's the first middle linebacker in NFL history to sign a deal worth $20 million in AAV.
