The Baltimore Ravens have yet to extend Zay Flowers, but that doesn't mean it won't happen before the season begins. ESPN's Jamison Hensley revealed it "wouldn't be surprising" if an extension was reached ahead of the year, but until things get across the finish line, it's just speculation.
And comments from quarterback Lamar Jackson only put more pressure on the front office to get something done. On the final day of minicamp, Jackson spoke to reporters and heaped praise on Flowers.
"We love Zay. We need Zay. His value is out of this world. That's what I'd say."
He continued to boast about Flowers and seemed shocked when reporters questioned if Flowers is a No. 1 receiver.
"Zay Flowers is a 1,000-yard receiver [in the] NFL for a reason. I'm going to leave it at that," Jackson said after letting a deep sigh go.
And with a payday potentially on the horizon, the Ravens must take Jackson's praise into consideration.
Baltimore Ravens front office can’t ignore what Lamar Jackson said about Zay Flowers
Keeping your quarterback happy should always be a priority, and in this case, it's clear what the Ravens need to do. And that's extend Flowers sooner rather than later, as he's been the best receiver that has played with Jackson since he took over as the starter in 2018.
Flowers has increased in yardage in three consecutive years, topping 1,000 yards in back-to-back campaigns. The Boston College product has 237 catches for 3,128 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 50 games. His 3,128 receiving yards are the highest mark for any pass catcher that Jackson has played with in Baltimore.
That's nothing to sneeze at and shows the connection these two have. The Ravens know this duo is uber important for the future success of their team, but they must kick things into overdrive.
Baltimore will need to put money where their mouth is, and that's at the negotiating table. Hensley of ESPN expressed that he believes a Flowers extension will go over $35 million per season. That would put him among the top four highest-paid receivers. Teams know how important it is to have a star receiver, and Flowers has shown he's more than capable of handling the WR1 role.
No doubt it will be a hefty deal, but that's the price of the game to keep your best players around. Jackson and Flowers have a true friendship that extends beyond the football field, and the franchise quarterback has made it clear to the front office how he views him. He's not hiding the fact that Flowers is a major weapon for this team, and it's up to management to hammer out an extension.
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