Lamar Jackson Contract Details, Deebo Samuel Talks NFC Championship Loss, and Other NFL Bullets
Good morning, and Happy Cinco de Mayo to those who celebrate! Also, happy “dads taking a picture of mayonnaise in their sink for the fifth straight year and thinking they’re hilarious” day! But, before we talk about Lamar Jackson and the Ravens making his record-setting extension official on Thursday, I would like to share my pain with you all:
- I know I’m not alone on that one! Alright, to the football. Lamar Jackson met with the media in Baltimore on Thursday to discuss his new mega-extension. Flanked by head coach John Harbaugh and GM Eric DeCosta, Jackson told reporters, “Today, we’re going to keep it about the future,” when asked how he went from a player asking for a trade-in March to the highest-paid player in the NFL today.
- After months of what DeCosta called “dark days,” the Ravens made Lamar Jackson the wealthiest man in the NFL with a record-setting five-year, $260 million contract extension ahead of the NFL Draft last Thursday. Jackson’s new deal makes him the highest paid by annual average ($52 million), topping Jalen Hurts’ recently signed extension. While Jackson won’t answer how we got from point A to B, I will spell it out for you. His new contract includes:
- The most guaranteed money ($135 million fully guaranteed, and a record $72.5 million signing bonus).
- The highest annual average ($52 million)
- A no-trade clause.
- A no franchise tag clause.
- That’s right, the Ravens can’t place the tag on him at the end of this deal. Instead, they’ll have to extend him again, or he will walk. Essentially, Baltimore gave him everything he wanted. That’ll make a player go from “trade me” to “I want to throw for like 6,000 yards with the weapons we have” in two months.
- I’m not sure that Lamar will throw for 6,000 yards … actually, I’m certain he wont. However, I love what the Ravens have done with their receivers’ room. Specifically the additions of Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers.
- San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel made his feelings on the 49ers’ loss to the Eagles in the NFC title game clear on Thursday. Samuel told Complex there was “no question” San Francisco was the best team in the NFC last season. The 49ers receiver said that San Francisco only lost to Philly because Brock Purdy went down on the first series, and backup Josh Johnson was later knocked out with a concussion.
- “We lost because we played with 10 people,” Samuel said. Given the circumstances, the 49ers receiver said he takes exception to the Eagles fans talking trash about the victory. He called the Eagles “most hated team” right now. “All the trash talk coming from the Eagles fan base and the players, you just get tired of that,” the All-Pro receiver said.
- As for Samuel’s thoughts on this season: “We just gotta stay healthy, man,” he said. “We stay healthy, and the sky’s the limit.”
- Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith was on a recent episode of Darius Slay’s podcast, and he ranked himself as the fifth-best Alabama wide receiver ever!
- San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch said this week that other teams were trying to trade up to select Michigan kicker Jake Moody. Lynch and the 49ers too Moody with their third round pick (No. 99 overall) last week, making Moody the first kicker taken higher than the fourth round since 2016. He also became just the second kicker taken ahead of the fourth round since 2006.
- Moody gives the 49ers their replacement for Robbie Gould. His best trait is his consistency. Moody went 38 for 39 from inside 40 yards. The rest of his misses all came from long range. However, he did set the program record with a 59-yard field goal in the College Football Playoff against Michigan. Still, he also went 3-for-7 last season from 50 yards or more.
- This is pretty cool!
- C’mon, man. Be better! I treat it as an honor to be credentialed to cover marquee NFL events such as the NFL Draft. But, apparently, not everyone feels the same way …
- Dexter Lawrence got PAID on Thursday!
- Luis brings you everything you need to know about Pickens:
