Orlovsky doesn't expect Lamar Jackson to play on franchise tag

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Orlovsky explains why he doesn't expect Lamar Jackson to play on franchise tag

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/14/23

Add ESPN personality Dan Orlovsky to the list of people who believe Lamar Jackson could threaten to hold out rather than play on the franchise tag for the Baltimore Ravens.

During Friday's edition of the "Get Up" program, Orlovsky explained why Jackson could decide the risk of suffering yet another injury may not be worth earning $32.416M for 2023 on the tag with no other financial guarantees attached to what would essentially be a one-year contract.

"It could have, God forbid, long-term impact on how much money he could make if another injury is suffered," Orlovsky said of Jackson. "We've heard teams, whether we agree with it or not, say, 'Well, he's missed 11 games or something, and the injuries have started to pile up over the last two years.' So if you're Lamar, you're sitting there going, 'Am I really gonna go play on the franchise tag and potentially risk more injury without long-term security?'"

Orlovsky also pointed out Jackson could be influenced by the fact that new Baltimore wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee twice from October 2020 through February 2022. Those setbacks presumably cost Beckham massive amounts of cash he would've earned from contracts over the past few years.

Orlovsky is hardly the first person to offer such a take. NFL insider Jason La Canfora, NBC Sports' Peter King and Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio are among others who previously noted they believe Jackson could forfeit millions of dollars and sit through this fall unless he puts pen to paper on a long-term deal before the July 17 deadline for teams to sign tagged players.

The one-time NFL Most Valuable Player can speak with other clubs while on the non-exclusive franchise tag but reportedly isn't close to receiving the type of fully guaranteed money he allegedly wants (over $230M) from Baltimore or any other organization.

La Canfora suggested earlier this month that the Ravens should offer Jackson $45M guaranteed for 2023 to match what he would have earned on the exclusive franchise tag. Additionally, La Canfora thinks Baltimore adding bonuses and incentives to the deal could help convince the 26-year-old to report to training camp on time.

The completion of the NFL Draft that gets underway on April 27 could slam the door shut on any team making Jackson a noteworthy offer before July 17. Unless something changes and soon, he may have to decide whether or not he's willing to lose the money currently guaranteed to him as a form of protest over failing to land a contract he feels matches his worth.

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