Charles Barkley offers Ravens QB Lamar Jackson contract advice

NBA legend Charles Barkley has offered some free advice to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson regarding contract negotiations that are seemingly going nowhere. 

"Lamar, you’re playing with fire, brother," Barkley said during a Tuesday appearance on ESPN Cleveland, as shared by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "You’re going to get burnt. These dudes, they’re all billionaires. They’re not going to let you screw up their business model. You’ve got to take the best deal. It’s not even about Lamar. I know what they’re saying behind the scenes. They’re like, 'Yo man, if you give this guy guaranteed money I’m going to have to give (Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert) guaranteed money, I’m going to have to give (Cincinnati Bengals starter Joe Burrow) guaranteed money. ... We can’t give all these guys guaranteed money.'" 

Specifically, Barkley was referencing Jackson's alleged desire to top the $230M in fully guaranteed money Deshaun Watson received from the Cleveland Browns in March 2022. 

To compare, it was learned Monday that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts reportedly agreed to a five-year extension worth up to $255M with $179.3M guaranteed. It's also been said the Ravens have thus far been willing to offer Jackson up to $200M in total guaranteed money. 

Multiple NFL insiders, including Florio, have noted that Hurts' deal is merely the latest factor working against Jackson as it pertains to his pursuit of a fully guaranteed contract. 

Baltimore retained Jackson's rights for 2023 via the non-exclusive franchise tag and can match any offer he accepts from a different club or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation. 

Florio mentioned that, as of Tuesday evening, "no one other than the Ravens is making any offer at all" for the one-time NFL Most Valuable Player. 

Jackson and the Ravens have until the July 17 deadline to agree to a long-term deal, but the 26-year-old could always threaten to hold out rather than play for Baltimore on the $32.416M franchise tender.