What Josh Allen's new deal means for Lamar Jackson's next contract
Josh Allen signed a massive contract extension with the Buffalo Bills on Friday in a deal that seemingly resets the NFL quarterback market. Lamar Jackson is also looking for an extension, but Allen’s mega-deal won’t impact Jackson’s ability to get things done with the Ravens, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Comparing Allen and Jackson in the NFL
Allen was the seventh overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Wyoming. He broke out for the Bills in 2020, completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 4,544 yards, 37 touchdowns and ten interceptions. Allen added eight touchdowns on the ground. This performance earned Allen his first career Pro Bowl honors. In his three-year NFL career, Allen has thrown for 9,707 yards, 67 touchdowns and 31 interceptions with 1,562 yards rushing and 25 scores on the ground.
Jackson came out of Louisville in the same draft as Allen. He won the 2016 Heisman Trophy and was third in Heisman voting in 2017. Despite being a more well-established college player than Allen, Jackson fell in the draft. The Ravens selected him with the final pick in the first round. Jackson has thrown for 7,085 yards, 68 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in his three-year career. Jackson was not the full-time starter as a rookie. He has added 2,900 yards rushing with 19 touchdowns. Jackson was named the 2019 AP NFL MVP, also becoming an All-Pro.
Allen and Jackson grew slowly as rookies but have since emerged as two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.
Allen’s deal won’t impact Jackson’s new contract
The Bills signed Allen to a six-year, $258 million contract on Friday. Rapoport does not expect Allen’s extension to strongly impact the terms of Jackson’s new deal, whenever that comes. He notes that in prior negotiations, the Ravens have locked up their own players at lesser values than the highest paid players at their positions. Marlon Humprey and Ronnie Stanley are his two examples after Jalen Ramsey and Laremy Tunsil seemingly set the markets.
“The Ravens are in a fine position here, communication is good, but I wouldn’t expect it to drastically affect where things are with Lamar,” Rapoport said.
Jackson is more likely to fall somewhere in between Allen’s $43 million per year and Dak Prescott’s $40 million instead of between Allen and Patrick Mahomes’ $45 million, per Around The NFL.
Image courtesy of: Brett Carlsen via Getty Images.