Report: Lamar Jackson turned down $250 million offer

Lamar Jackson is heading into the 2022 season on the last year of his contract, but he had a chance to extend it. ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that sources believe Jackson turned down a deal "worth about" $250 million. 

According the to the report, the Ravens "balked" at Jackson's request to have a fully guaranteed contract, similar to Browns' quarterback Deshaun Watson. Additionally, the contract Baltimore offered to Jackson was to pay him a higher salary and more guaranteed money than Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray. 

With fully guaranteed contracts becoming a not-so-secret deal in the NFL anymore, it's not a surprise that a 25-year-old quarterback with an MVP award already to his name would want such. But Baltimore declined, and will look to the off-season to extend the quarterback. 

For Jackson, the ball is in his court. If he and the Ravens cannot to come to an agreement, odds are he'll be the most sought after free agent in NFL history. A dynamic playmaker like Jackson rarely appears on the open market, and he knows this. 

So while holding out for a better deal when $250 million is on the table may seem questionable to some, and foolish to others, it could lead to an even better deal if/when Jackson hits the open market next off-season.