NFL rumors: Lamar Jackson, Ravens agree to record-setting five-year contract
Ravens contract agreement ends Jackson-to-49ers speculation originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Lamar Jackson isn't going anywhere.
The 2019 league MVP is returning to the Baltimore Ravens on a five-year contract after agreeing to terms on Thursday before the NFL Draft.
The team announced the deal with a video message from Jackson:
"For the last few months, there's been a lot of 'he said, she said.' A lot of nail-biting, a lot of head-scratching going on," Jackson said. "But for the next five years, there's a lot of (Ravens) Flock going on. Let's go, baby, let's go. Can't wait to get there, can't wait to be there. Can't wait to light up M&T (Bank Stadium) for the next five years. Let's get it."
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the deal will make Jackson the highest-paid player in the NFL -- just days after the Philadelphia Eagles signed Jalen Hurts to a then-record five-year, $255 million deal. Jackson deal will be for $260 million, per Rapoport.
For months, it appeared that Jackson had played his final snaps in Baltimore. The two sides couldn't work out a deal before free agency in March, which led the team to give him the non-exclusive franchise tag. While that let other teams negotiate with Jackson, no other suitor emerged -- even after he publicly requested a trade.
The San Francisco 49ers were mentioned as a possible landing spot, but head coach Kyle Shanahan denounced those rumors during the NFL Annual Meetings at the end of March.
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In the end, Jackson will now return to the Ravens with a revamped supporting cast led by wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
