Time has run out for the Baltimore Ravens to offer a contract extension to quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Friday was the self-made deadline by the Ravens QB, and it left him without a new deal.
While everyone is talking about his potential contract in 2023, no one is talking about the Ravens moving on from him.
However, there are three reasons the Ravens should part ways with Jackson after 2022.
3. Jackson Isn’t Worth A Fully Guaranteed Contract
Since his MVP title year in 2019, nothing from Jackson screams that he’s worth a fully guaranteed contract.
After winning the MVP title, the young QB suffered major setbacks.
The 2020 season saw the Ravens ranked 32nd in passing yards.
@NFL fans like to point out that the @Ravens are last in pass yards to suggest the Ravens aren’t good at passing.
I submit the real pass stat that the Ravens are 32nd in that bothers me. Team YAC. Notice who is 1st. 😐 pic.twitter.com/K7kobvvZVJ
— Skepticgoat (@skepticgoat) April 7, 2021
That also helped lead the Ravens receivers to rank 32nd in YAC.
However, the problems get worse for Baltimore if they wish to risk their money on Jackson.
His 2021 season saw him miss several games because of an injury.
When you add in the increased interceptions during his shortened 2021 season, there’s too much risk in keeping him.
With him declining in every area since 2019, there’s no reason to offer him guaranteed money.
Unless he can prove something in 2022, there’s little over his last two seasons that give the Ravens a reason to keep him.
2. Ravens Have Found Success Without Well-Known Quarterbacks
For those defending Jackson’s last-ranked passing yards in 2020, there’s an easy counter to this argument.
The Ravens aren’t a pass heavy team.
#Ravens season average for passing yards 164.4 (32nd)
First half against the #Lions 192 yards#DETvsBAL— LionsFanReport (@lionsfanreport) December 3, 2017
However, despite their history of being last in passing yards, the Ravens still find success and win games.
Looking back to the 2000-01 NFL season shows a year the Ravens won a Super Bowl without well-known quarterbacks.
The team had Trent Dilfer and Tony Banks that season.
They had both quarterbacks playing games throughout the year.
While Banks started the season, Dilfer finished it, leading the Ravens to a 12-4 record.
They got enough production from Banks and Dilfer to reach the playoffs.
However, the last reason is the biggest reason the Ravens have two Super Bowl trophies, and don’t need Jackson to get another trophy.
1. Ravens Defense Is The Cornerstone To Team’s Super Bowl Success
Who needs an elite quarterback when you have the best defense in the NFL?
Trending: ESPN working on a 30-for-30 about the 2000-01 #Ravens team that won the Super Bowl
Arguably the best defense in NFL history
— Jordan 🏈 (@jasrifootball) May 18, 2022
It’s been that elite Ravens defense which got them their two Super Bowl titles.
If the Ravens want to remain Super Bowl contenders, they are better off spending money on their defense.
They don’t need Jackson to help them reach a Super Bowl, as it’s proven the Ravens defense gets them there.
However, their defense is neglected and could suffer if the team keeps Jackson.
Franchise tagging him prevents the team from signing better players on defense.
If they offer him the contract he wants, they have the same problem.
While many in Baltimore love Jackson, he’s not who the Ravens need to make a Super Bowl run.
What they need is another top-tier defense to make that return.
When they get a top-tier defense, any quarterback can help them score just enough points to reach a Super Bowl.
