-Ed-Mulholland-USA-TODAY-Sports-53
(New York, NY) — It was first a question of will Lamar Jackson get paid. Now, it’s what type of tag he’ll receive. Either way, Jackson’s time with Baltimore is coming to a screeching halt.
After multiple last-gasp efforts, multiple reports say Lamar Jackson is headed toward a franchise tag. However, it is unknown whether it will be an exclusive or non-exclusive tag.
If exclusive, the Ravens get normal negotiating rights without not having to worry about any team snagging his talents away, If the tag is non-exclusive, a team can negotiate a contract with Jackson and if signed, will have to give up two first-round picks.
It is said Baltimore will not match contract offers from two teams: the Falcons and the Bears. Chicago is already dead set on Justin Fields as the future of their franchise so don’t expect any Lamar Jackson-Chicago jersey photoshops anytime soon. For Atlanta, things get much more interesting. The Falcons have the second-most cap space in the NFL at $67,278,944. This is also a team willing to spend money, as evidenced by their inclusion in the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes a year ago.
Putting Lamar Jackson on the non-exclusive franchise tag basically dares the other teams in the NFL to give up financial and team-building assets for a player that hasn’t been the same since his MVP year. Are two first-round picks and a 200 million dollar fully guaranteed deal worth it for a franchise that is going to be rebuilding regardless of who their quarterback is?
Atlanta seems to be the only team that can answer that question given the cap space and assets they have.
