Making the case for Lamar Jackson as the Seahawks QB of the future
The price for Lamar Jackson
Now that I’m down gushing over the twenty-five-year-old former MVP, there are a couple of questions that need to be answered if he truly is available.
What will it cost to get Lamar and what will it cost to extend him?
There are a few routes the Ravens can go with Jackson. They could sign him to an extension and make all of this a moot point. They could do two years of franchise tags taking him to unrestricted free agency in 2025. So far we’ve seen nothing to show an extension is imminent. If Lamar was tagged for two straight seasons, then he’d make $100 million dollars over two years because of the tag.
A 2023 franchise tag would likely be around $46 million against the cap. If they’re not sold on him for $46 mil, then I don’t see them being interested long-term. In that case, they franchise him next year and then look to trade him, and the best time to do it would be right before the NFL draft in 2023.
If that is the case, Seattle may be the most experienced and well-positioned team to acquire Lamar. They went through this this spring, trading Russ, and I believe they got a good deal. Two firsts, two seconds some middle picks and two starters, including the extremely talented Noah Fant. The Hawks are loaded with picks to go and get Lamar, while having the leverage of comparing the deal to the one they just made with Denver.
A Russ deal shouldn’t be too far off from a Lamar Jackson deal. Both have experienced great success. Russ looks to be a better passer but is older. Lamar has more “WOW”, is younger, has an MVP, but little playoff success. If I’m Seattle, once Jackson is franchise tagged, I’m calling and here’s my offer.
- The best pick in the first round between Seattle and Denver’s pick in 2023
- The best pick in the second round between Seattle and Denver’s pick in 2023
- Seattle’s third-round pick in 2023
- Seattle’s first-round pick in 2024
- Seattle’s second-round pick in 2024
The Baltimore Ravens pride themselves on being able to draft better than most, and they’re usually right. Instead of players, Seattle sends another Day 2 pick to Baltimore in this year’s draft, one that is expected to be highly regarded. The Ravens likely get a top 15 pick in this year’s draft, plus five high-level picks in the next two drafts. It’s a clear refresh for Harbaugh and the Ravens, as they can start over with a new rookie QB and possibly a deep and young team by 2025.
The Seahawks decide they don’t want to wait, and you can’t claim them considering the questions about how long Pete Carroll, John Schneider and ownership will be around. I’m this universe, they take Russell Wilson and some future picks and turn them into a franchise QB in Lamar, and a franchise left tackle in Charles Cross. If Cross and Lamar succeed, I think most Seahawks fans would do that trade.
Now that the mammoth trade is done, the question moves to lock up Lamar for the rest of his career in Seattle. According to Spotrac, they project Lamar Jackson to receive a contract worth around $44 million dollars a year. With the cap continuing to rise and a new TV on the horizon, $40+ million for a franchise QB won’t look so bad in five years.
If I’m Seattle, I look to sign Lamar Jackson to a 6yr/270 million dollar deal. That’s $45 a year, which most of it would be guaranteed. I think a team opt-out after four seasons is reasonable considering the guaranteed money. This could provide real protection considering Jackson’s moderate injury history and how much of his success is based on his legs.
The financials of this deal would be a heavy burden on Seattle. They project to have a little over $50 million in cap space for next season. A Lamar deal has to include a Metcalf extension, in my opinion. Yes, Metcalf could be used to lower the number of picks in a Jackson trade, but then you have hindered Jackson’s ability to succeed in Seattle.
To bring on Jackson and extend Metcalf would definitely push the cap to the brink. But hey, if the Rams don’t use the cap, why not Seattle. The lack of picks will help financially, and there are plenty of extension candidates to lower the cap. Players such as Gabe Jackson and Will Dissly are also candidates to be cut in order to keep the two best players on the team.
These are some big numbers we’re talking about here, I get that. I’m curious to you Seahawks fans though, what would you rather have? Russell Wilson at age 34 with a massive extension into his 40’s, or Lamar Jackson with a massive extension that ends right as he turns 34?