Buffalo Bills franchise quarterback Josh Allen recently signed a contract extension worth $258 million over six years with $150 million guaranteed. About two weeks ago there were reports that talks had tabled and both sides would continue to negotiate after the season. Instead, things got heated and a deal got done in the middle of the night.
Allen’s guaranteed money surpasses the massive deal signed by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes of $141.5 million. The Bills’ superstar will own an average salary of $43 million per season which is second to only Mahomes at $45 million.
So how does this contract impact Allen’s draft class teammate, Lamar Jackson?
Jackson and the Ravens had been talking, but according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the negotiations haven’t been close entering training camp. It’s also worth noting that Jackson doesn’t have an agent, so negotiations might be a little tougher to get done.
In the past, the Ravens organization hasn’t allowed other player contracts to impact their negotiations with other players, but this time it could be different. Baltimore has the chance to make their franchise quarterback the highest paid player in the NFL if they choose too, but that seems difficult with the success Mahomes has had in Kansas City.
There’s no question the 2019 NFL MVP wants to be the highest paid player in the NFL, but Jackson has yet to lead his team to the AFC Championship Game. Last season, Baltimore lost to Josh Allen’s Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs after only putting up three points.
Why should Jackson receive a better contract you might ask? Let’s break down the numbers.
Allen has started in seven more games than Jackson, but Jackson has one more passing touchdown. The Baltimore quarterback also has less rushing touchdowns than Allen which seems surprising, but Jackson is more dangerous on his feet rushing for nearly 1,400 more yards in his first three seasons.
The 2019 league MVP won’t become a free agent until 2023, but if Baltimore wants to play hard ball, they can place the franchise tag on him and make things more difficult.
Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh also told the media, “There’s really not a hurry for us. He’s going to be our quarterback for years to come.”
Jackson can wait until after the season to possibly get a deal done and see what other quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield could receive.
There’s no question, Jackson will join Mahomes, Allen, and even Dak Prescott as the highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL, but it’s just a matter of when.
Josh Allen’s deal won’t impact when Jackson gets paid, but it will impact how much he gets paid.
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