The long-awaited saga is finally over. The Baltimore Ravens have their quarterback in the fold for the next five years, as Lamar Jackson officially signed his new deal on Wednesday morning.
Jackson was in the building and ready to put pen to paper.
After days, weeks and months of deliberation, rumors, reports, questions, he-said, she-said mumbo jumbo, it was all put to rest. Jackson indeed signed his brand-new 5-year deal worth $260 million in total and $185 million in guaranteed money.
To say he looked relieved after finalizing the deal would be an understatement.
“Woo!” @Lj_era8 😂 pic.twitter.com/OgN3kFq3tQ
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 4, 2023
Now, it's time for Lamar Jackson to get to work with his new Baltimore Ravens teammates
Now that Jackson is locked in for the foreseeable future, it's time for him to get accustomed to a couple of new teammates, who happen to be a pair of electric playmakers. The Ravens added a weapon for Jackson weeks ago, in hopes that it would help spark the quarterback's interest in sticking around.
Baltimore added veteran free agent Odell Beckham Jr. on a 1-year deal, which was a smart move by general manager Eric DeCosta. Jackson and Beckham have a good relationship, and the 3-time Pro Bowl wide receiver has to be excited about the opportunity to play with a friend of his.
Meanwhile, the Ravens weren't done adding weapons just yet. When the 2023 NFL Draft rolled around, the first round opened up just a few hours after the original news broke regarding Jackson's new contract.
In that first round, DeCosta and the Ravens, of course, drafted Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers. The speedy, gadgety weapon should fit nicely with the speed of Beckham and Jackson on the field at the same time.
Jackson has some work to do to establish some chemistry with the two new receivers, but now that he has his contract, the offseason should run a whole lot more smoothly for the former NFL MVP.