The NFL is probably the best at making their league remains in the headlines all-year-round out of all the major leagues. Whether it’s the combine, NFL Draft, Free agency, or schedule releases, the NFL creates storylines and spectacles to keep the momentum going after the final touchdown is scored.
One of the biggest reasons for those year-long headlines is contract situations. Every off-season we see some of the league’s top stars demand more money, more years, or a new team. And until demands are met, holdouts are current.
Peyton Manning, Brett Farve, and other legends of the game have gone through heavily — sometimes overly-publicized off-season drama. Fans must rely on reports from the media and their top-secret “sources” (shoutout to Adam Schefter) but more often times than not, they’re sources aren’t providing the most accurate information.
So instead of claiming we know how these situations end, let’s give some early predictions.
Lamar Jackson becomes a $300-million man
Back in March, Steve Biscotti told reporters the franchise will pay Jackson when he is ready, with John Harbaugh echoing the owner’s sentiments. Jackson, who is representing himself, is taking his time before officially opening up contract talks.
Jackson will receive $23 million for the 2022 season, which put him 15th on the list of quarterbacks’ top salaries.
The best thing that could have happened to the 2019 MVP is Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen’s extension. Chiefs gave Mahomes the richest contract in NFL history, while Allen is guaranteed $150 million from the Bills. Jackson’s production puts him in the middle of both, only missing a Super Bowl to match Mahomes, but an NFL MVP over Allen.
I highly doubt the Ravens or Jackson will allow this to drag into the season, or even into training camp. The ravens are committed to the dual-threat quarterback and letting him walk means rebuilding an entire offensive system.
Kyler Murray hold out into the season
A few days ago, PFF reported that Murray is projected to receive a 6-year $280 million extension from the Cardinals.
Of course, this projection came from “sources” but there is still no word from either side that a deal has been negotiated or offered.
Murray has made it clear that he wants a new contract and we shouldn’t expect to see him until he receives one. While everything thinks this deal will get done but no one knows exactly when.
One factor that is rarely discussed is, Murray has two years (including 2022) remaining before he’ll become an unrestricted free agent. Murray has elevated himself as one of the league’s best, but his career resume doesn’t match the asking price. His only playoff appearance was one of his worse games as an NFL quarterback.
Not a good way to go into contract talks.
The narrative is the Cardinals are committed to their former #1 pick which I think is true but I do believe their hesitation could make things worse.
Debo Samuels remains in San Francisco
When a GM says he’ll never trade a player, believe him.
And if they do trade that player, they received a whole lot for that said player.
That’s basically the situation Samuels is stuck in.
Whether it was a strategic statement or one out of emotions, John Lynch publicly sharing his uninterest to trade Samuels, letting the rest of the league know the asking price is high, regardless of how the all-around offensive weapon feels about the organization.
PFF ranked Samuels as the 9th best receiver in the league, but his value goes far beyond. Lynch knows this. Samuels is the only player in the NFL that can do what he does.
If the Niners truly want to keep Samuels, then they have to make him happy. All signs lead to Trey Lance being the 2022 starter but having your best offensive weapon “unhappy” doesn’t help the new play-caller.
Lynch can say he won’t trade Samuels, but he needs to make him happy.
Browns cut Baker Mayfield
Another offseason with the Cleveland Conundrums, I mean Browns.
After the signing of Deshaun Watson, it marked the unofficial end of the Baker Mayfield era in Cleveland.
The Browns are not having great success trying to trade their 2018 #1 overall pick. Much of the league is skipping on Mayfield, which I don’t think tells the full story. After signing Watson, it decreased Mayfield’s trade value. Everyone knows the Browns do not want Mayfield to be an overpaid backup, Mayfield is subjected to $19 million for the 2022 season.
As I write this, reports have come out that the Browns have no intention of cutting Mayfield according to league sources. The Browns are hoping that someone will take on some of Mayfield’s salary but who is going to pay more than $10 million for a rental player that probably won’t take you to the playoffs.
No matter what, the Browns are in a bad position. If they do decide to keep Mayfield, you risk the chance of having a “distraction” in the locker room, and who wants another distraction-filled season in Cleveland?
BSL Analyst
I started this journey as a writer in 2012, establishing my brand Fan-i Sports, which stands as a multi-media sports brand based out of Baltimore, Maryland. I wrote articles, opinionated columns, developed hip-hop compilation mixtapes, and everything else I could use to communicate in the steady changing (and crowded) world of sports media. From there, I built a small following, which allowed me to turn Fan-i Sports into a legit company in the state of Maryland, leading to my career as a sports journalist.