At the end of the season, Eric DeCosta, general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, said “it takes two to tango” when asked about the prospects of a deal with quarterback Lamar Jackson this year.
Ravens defensive end Kailas Campbell said this week that Lamar Jackson is a willing dance partner.
Campbell, who is also the NFLPA vice president, told NFL Network on Thursday: “He wants to make a deal, and that’s the most important part. Sometimes people who are part of a team don’t want to be there anymore. use [free agency] as an opportunity to go elsewhere. But he wants to stay [with the Ravens].”
Lamar Jackson hasn’t spoken about his contract since the start of the 2022 season, and he hasn’t spoken to reporters since suffering a knee injury in early December.
Negotiations between Lamar Jackson and the Ravens began 25 months ago, and there is no indication the sides are close to a deal. Baltimore has until 4 p.m. Tuesday to place the franchise tag on Lamar Jackson. ET to prevent him from becoming an unrestricted free agent.
DeCosta said Wednesday at the NFL combine that no decision has been made on which tag Baltimore will apply. If the Ravens used the non-exclusive tag, Lamar Jackson would be allowed to hold contract talks with other teams. Baltimore would have the right to match any offer sheets or receive two first-round picks as compensation. The exclusive tag would allow the Ravens to control their rights as well as any trade negotiations.
DiCosta said he recently met with Lamar Jackson and it is “an ongoing discussion”. He acknowledged that this conversation was tougher than others because Lamar Jackson has no agent and is representing himself.
“Lamar Jackson is throwing ideas at me [and] I’m throwing ideas at him,” DeCosta said. “We have to appreciate the other person’s position, we have to respect the other person’s position and where they’re coming from and we have to be willing to consider that it might be really important to them. And if It’s, so what are we, basically, willing to give up in exchange for something that’s really important to you? So it’s a conversation, but it’s a good faith one based on trust, respect, and listening to the other person. There has to be a conversation. Otherwise, it won’t work.”