The Baltimore Ravens have to do something about Lamar Jackson.
His cap hit for next season will be an unmanageable $74.5 million. So at the very least, a contract restructuring is in order.
But what if that's also a time for the Ravens to examine whether Jackson is even the answer for them in the long run?
They have never been able to put together sustained playoff success despite incredible regular season feats for Jackson.
This season has also been quite rough for Lamar, and it could add doubt to the picture.
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ESPN's Dan Graziano thinks the Ravens ought to at least consider what alternatives might look like.
"They wouldn't be replacing him with a better player, because there really aren't any better players," Graziano writes. "But given that Jackson and coach John Harbaugh have won a total of three playoff games together since Jackson was drafted in 2018, it might be worth it for the Ravens to examine whether a new extension in excess of $60 million per year is the best way for them to build their team moving forward."
Jackson represents himself in contract negotiations, too, which could make things particularly tricky if the Ravens decide to take a different tact here than just paying Jackson more than any quarterback ever.
It'd be a big risk to take, of course, moving on from Jackson. It would shake up the entire NFL, and there's no guarantee Baltimore gets a QB close to that good in the next decade.
But the money issues are at least raising the question. It's one the Ravens will have to consider.
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