Now that Lamar Jackson has been given the non-exclusive franchise tag by the Baltimore Ravens, there’s a decent chance he plays for another team in 2023. Everyone has an opinion, but where does Rob Gronkowski think he’ll play next year?
Appearing on Up & Adams, Gronkowski predicted that Jackson will stay in Baltimore next season. He explained that there is clearly more going on behind the scenes than we know about but is confident that the two sides will find a way to work it out and get a deal done.
“I think he’s gonna end up in Baltimore in the end… He has an amazing winning percentage already from his first four years of his career. But there’s something going on between Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens that no one knows about. That’s why there’s a stalemate. That’s why it’s weird and awkward… But no one knows and that’s why it hasn’t been released… There’s somewhere that they are butting heads where they won’t get the deal done. But I truly believe that in the end it will be the Baltimore Ravens for Lamar Jackson,” Gronkowski said.
That’s certainly a reasonable possibility. Even if another team makes Lamar Jackson an appealing offer, the Ravens have the opportunity to match it before he goes to another team.
By all accounts, the Ravens and Jackson are far apart on terms for a contract extension. In giving Jackson the non-exclusive franchise tag, the Ravens are letting Jackson and the rest of the NFL set the terms for what an acceptable contract would look like.
It’s a smart enough move, even if it does make the Ravens look a little unappreciative of what Jackson has done for the franchise.
Do you agree with Gronk?