Star quarterback Jalen Hurts recently signed a whopping 5-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, sending shockwaves through the NFL community, however, the news sparked hilarious mockery from NFL fans, with many taking playful jabs at the Baltimore Ravens veteran quarterback Lamar Jackson.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Monday, Hurts and the Eagles agreed to a deal worth $255 million over five years with $179.30 million guaranteed and a no-trade clause including a $51 million annual salary, making him the highest-paid player in the history of the NFL.
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The #Eagles and Jalen Hurts agreed to terms on a 5-year, $255M contract extension that makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.@AgentNicoleLynn did the deal, which includes $179.304M in guarantees and a no-trade clause. pic.twitter.com/UNzVumGgoA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 17, 2023
Amid the offseason full of QB deal drama, the 2020 second-round draft pick, and his team committed to each other through 2028 without Jalen sending a trade request to the team nor insisting on a fully guaranteed contract and a long-term deal was a much-needed treat for him after he enjoyed a breakout year by helping the Eagles reach the Super Bowl.
How will the contract of Jalen Hurts affect Lamar Jackson’s negotiations?
NFL reporter Dov Kleiman tweeted Jalen’s $255 million deal might pave the way for Lamar, the Bengals’ Joe Burrow, and the Chargers’ Justin Herbert, and they will try to beat Hurts’ deal.
Now that Jalen Hurts got paid $255 million over 5-years, the next top QB to get paid will surely try to top it.#Ravens Lamar Jackson#Bengals Joe Burrow#Chargers Justin Herbert
Who gets paid first? pic.twitter.com/YW8LnPcCxf
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 17, 2023
A league insider also disclosed to Heavy that Hurts contract extension will help Lamar get his expected amount.
“Whatever Lamar is asking for, this Hurts deal helps him. Lamar is a better quarterback, with a larger body of work, and Hurts did an extremely team-friendly deal after one really good season” he said.
However, former NFL Executive of the Year Randy Mueller cited there is little precedent for a contract extension of this magnitude being negotiated without an agent and the Ravens offered the best value for him, hence, Jalen’s new deal will not have any impact on Jackson’s negotiations.
“I think this has little impact on Lamar. The Ravens have valued him the best way they see fit. Another deal should not change their way of thinking.”
The Ravens QB reportedly turned down a deal with $200 million in guaranteed money as he was probably eyeing a deal like Deshaun Watson’s $230 million fully guaranteed deal or more than that, however, Hurts’ deal includes about $179 million guaranteed money, hence, it might not impact Jackson’s ongoing trade saga as predicted by many fans and pundits.
Fans Jump to Jackson Memes after the contract extension of Hurts
Twitter was abuzz with memes and jokes comparing Hurts’ contract extension to Jackson’s current contract situation while sharing memes of the Ravens star player being shocked at the deal.
Lamar Jackson seeing Jalen Hurts get a BAG đź’° pic.twitter.com/J3QLpIIBFc
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) April 17, 2023
Lamar Jackson after seeing Jalen Hurts deal: pic.twitter.com/3HvjX41f3p
— FABO (@Only1Fabo) April 17, 2023
“Ravens giving you a deal like the Eagles gave Jalen Hurts?”
Lamar Jackson: pic.twitter.com/IZIKJ077Lq
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) April 17, 2023
However, many fans believe Philly’s new deal will benefit Lamar, Burrow, and Herbert and shared funny memes of these three celebrating following the contract.
Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert seeing Jalen Hurts new deal: pic.twitter.com/1wrg5ITO5D
— Danny Armstrong (@DArmstrong44) April 17, 2023
Lamar Jackson seeing the Jalen Hurts contract pic.twitter.com/CMIYLjr0em
— Bryson (@BrysonWright3) April 17, 2023
While NFL fans had a field day with the news of Hurts’ contract extension, it’s all in good fun, and both Hurts and Jackson have bright futures ahead of them in the NFL. However, the Ravens’ next move regarding their veteran QB may raise fan’s eyebrows in the upcoming days.
