Lamar Jackson's secret superpower is again helping the Ravens win the margins and it should change what his next contract looks like
The Baltimore Ravens did it. After a very enthusiastic public plea from Lamar Jackson to land cornerback Jaire Alexander, it took just 24 hours for the news to hit that Baltimore had indeed closed the deal. The prospect of such an addition is understandably exciting, especially if you're willing to overlook the contributing factors that […]
The Baltimore Ravens did it. After a very enthusiastic public plea from Lamar Jackson to land cornerback Jaire Alexander, it took just 24 hours for the news to hit that Baltimore had indeed closed the deal.
The prospect of such an addition is understandably exciting, especially if you're willing to overlook the contributing factors that allowed Alexander to shake free from Green Bay in the first place. But there's no question that a fresh survey of Baltimore's secondary reveals a group that is bursting at the seams with physical talent. If things go right with Alexander's health, this group is undoubtedly better than it was 48 hours ago.
It's an exciting development for Lamar Jackson — and not just because he's convinced his Ravens to land his old college teammate. This move for Baltimore underscores the hidden value of Jackson as a member of the organization. And it almost certainly should be a big part of Jackson's pitch to the Ravens at the negotiating table.
It has been reported that Alexander had more money on the table elsewhere, ESPN's Adam Schefter stating that he "turned down more to be in Baltimore with his former college teammate, Lamar Jackson."
The preexisting relationship certainly may not have hurt, but this also isn't the first time that Baltimore has gotten a veteran upgrade to serve a role on the team on the cheap with Jackson's presence serving a key role in facilitating those friendly values in Baltimore. Everyone knows the Ravens, with Lamar leading the way, are going to win a lot of football games and be a part of the end-season conversation. He's a math-changer in a lot of ways and veteran players, free to pick their best destination, appear to know it.
Alexander signing for just a maximum value of $6 million ($4 million base) certainly mitigates the risks associated with his injury background. And, again, he could have made elsewhere before the pull of Jackson got ahold of him.
So when Jackson sits down to have more of those "preliminary talks" with general manager Eric DeCosta about a new contract, he should absolutely be pointing out his value to the organization. It transcends his "snap to whistle" contributions and the work he does in the community. His recruitment presence has, on a number of occasions, allowed the Ravens to not only close free agent deals but due so at a net value that is perceived as a "win" for the Ravens.
If Alexander turned down, hypothetically, $2 million extra in max value to his contract somewhere else, that's a $2 million value added back to Baltimore as a result of Jackson and his presence.
So as the Ravens and Jackson continue to try to price out the right value for a contract extension, Jackson should make sure that DeCosta is reminded of what margins are available to the Ravens thanks in part to Jackson's recruitment ability. A few million here and a few million there may not seem like much in the grand scheme of NFL salary payrolls, but over time it adds up and all the best teams win because they find profits and gains in the margins. Some of those profits are, likely, going to have to be put back into topping off the new contract to Lamar when it's all said and done.
DeCosta and company should view it like an investment — it's going to pay back out as the years unfold. We already have the proof of that and now, with Alexander's signing, we have the latest reminder.
Ravens take risky but high-upside swing to improve the defense, and it lines up perfectly with what Lamar Jackson wanted
Jaire Alexander signed a one-year deal with Baltimore
