Insider thinks Ravens' Lamar Jackson will be traded before 2023 NFL Draft

Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson is currently playing on the final year of his rookie contract after the two sides failed to come to terms on an agreement before this past Sunday's season-opening 24-9 win at the New York Jets. 

A report surfaced ahead of that game claiming that Jackson rejected a deal "worth about" $250 million largely over his supposed desire to sign a fully guaranteed contract similar to what the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson following their trade with the Houston Texans in March. 

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said before the weekend that the parties "will continue to work towards a long-term contract after the season," and it's widely thought Baltimore will retain Jackson's rights through the 2023 campaign via the franchise tag if necessary. However, NFL insider Jason La Canfora told "The Jason Smith Show" of Fox Sports Radio when many were watching "Monday Night Football" that he thinks the Ravens will move on from the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player after the ongoing season. 

"I wish the owner [Steve Bisciotti] liked, respected, and understood the changing dynamics of compensating quarterbacks that way that I do, and the way that most smart football people do, otherwise this would have been done when Josh Allen signed his deal before the start of two seasons ago," La Canfora said during the radio segment. "But this owner doesn’t, and he won’t, and I don’t understand what the endgame is for Steve Bisciotti. If he truly thinks you gotta win a Super Bowl before I pay you what you’re worth [referencing Joe Flacco’s record-breaking 6-year, $120 million contract in 2013], then he’s out of his frickin' mind." 

La Canfora continued: 

"If you don’t want to pay him what he’s worth, somebody else will, and if you want to give him $23 million fully guaranteed this year, and then $43-$44 million next year on the tag, then if you tag him after that at $52 million and then he walks, you can play that game, but I think Lamar Jackson will be traded before the draft next year." 

La Canfora said plenty more than can be heard and read here. 

For now, Jackson and the 1-0 Ravens are preparing to host the 1-0 Miami Dolphins in Baltimore's home opener this Sunday.