OWINGS MILLS, MD – The Baltimore Ravens’ contract talks with Lamar Jackson will not be affected by Dak Prescott’s record deal with the Dallas Cowboys, general manager Eric DeCosta said Tuesday.
“If you arrive at the Bentley dealer or the Range Rover dealer, you know what the cars are going to cost. You are not going to get much discounts,” DeCosta said. “They all cost about the same and you go there with the idea that you are either going to buy the car or not buy the car … In the end, they are all very big contracts. . They are outstanding players. These are quarterback deals. They are players with marquises and you know you are going to pay a lot, but you will get a lot in return. “
Prescott on Monday agreed to a four-year, $ 160 million contract with the Cowboys, which includes a $ 66 million bonus, the highest in NFL history, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Prescott’s average of $ 40 million a year is just behind Patrick Mahomes (quarterback) Kansas City Chiefs ($ 45 million a season).
DeCosta said it recently held one-on-one talks with Jackson around the framework of a long-term agreement. But the parties did not start formal negotiations and no contract proposals were exchanged.
“We are confident and committed to trying to make a long-term agreement, and hopefully we can do so at some point in the near future,” DeCosta said. “It may take some time, but we are willing to give it a try.”
Jackson, 24, entered the last year of his four-year, $ 9.5 million new contract. He would earn $ 1,771 million in 2021 – currently ranked 23rd among quarterbacks – after leading the Ravens to the playoffs in each of his three seasons and winning the NFL MVP Award in 2019.
Baltimore could technically deter Jackson from being a free agent for at least the 2023 season if he uses his fifth-year option and uses the franchise label. The process of signing franchise quarterbacks can take a long time. It took three years before the Cowboys and Prescott entered into an agreement.
But DeCosta said his approach to Jackson will not change by watching conversations unfold in Dallas with Prescott.
“Every negotiation is different. Every player is different. Every GM is different,” DeCosta said. “We have a strategy and we have a relationship. Lamar has played three years, and you know what, he’s a good player. We feel really good with him. I think he feels really good with us. It’s up to we made an agreement. ‘
DeCosta has indicated he does not know whether Jackson will continue to represent himself or appoint an agent.
According to DeCosta, he has had a few conversations with Jackson since the season ended and spent time with him a few weeks ago. DeCosta said they talked about the team, Jackson’s family, as well as his goals and dreams for the future.
“We laughed a lot,” DeCosta said. “It was really healthy and really very good. We started talking about what a contract might look like, but we really did not necessarily come across all the weeds and the nuances of all kinds of things, but it comes at some point. soon. ‘
DeCosta added: “We will be as transparent as possible with Lamar. He will be as transparent as possible with us. It will definitely be a good relationship and partnership.”
DeCosta touched on other topics during its 36-minute news conference:
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The Ravens have begun preliminary contract talks with Pro Andrew Bowl, Mark Andrews, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. “I like everything about Mark – his personality, his ability, his work ethic, attitude, competitiveness,” DeCosta said. “He’s the type of guy we want to keep.”
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DeCosta said there is no deadline for a possible deal of offensive tackle Pro Bowl Orlando Brown Jr., who has expressed his desire to play left-wing tackles on social media. “He’s under contract, and he understands that,” DeCosta said. “We will do what is best for Orlando, and we will do what is best for the Ravens.”
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The security grievance Earl Thomas continues and will not be resolved any time soon. Thomas was cut off last August after punching teammate Chuck Clark in practice. If the Ravens win the grievance, they will receive an extra $ 5 million. If Baltimore loses, it will take away $ 5 million in cap space.