OTL: Sashi Brown Says Baltimore Still Wants the NFL Draft

Baltimore Ravens Team President Sashi Brown spoke to reporters Monday morning at the NFL league meetings in Phoenix. The roughtly 25-minute availability was close to the vest, as expected with any Ravens front office member, but provided some insight on some things to keep in mind as the offseason goes on.

The Lamar Jackson Contract Saga: Part II, has carried on for what now feels like far too long. At the post-Harbaugh press conference on January 13, Steve Bisciotti also touched on Lamar Jackson’s future.

“I want him to be my quarterback,” Bisciotti said. “I think he is amenable to doing something that mirrors the last deal that he did, although the annual number will be a little higher.”

On February 24 at the Combine, Eric DeCosta was asked if he was confident in contract talks with Jackson. “I am. I am. I definitely am,” DeCosta said.

15 days later, the Ravens unilaterally restructured Lamar Jackson’s contract, providing a temporary fix, but kicking Jackson’s massive cap number onto next year’s books.

Brown provided no real clarity surrounding the contract situation, but gushed about Jackson’s leadership role not just as a player, but a member of the organization as a whole.

Sashi Brown on Lamar Jackson: “Lamar’s at a point in his career where he’s seen so much, so we value his opinion tremendously. … I think there’s just a tremendous amount of respect for what he brings to the table and what we’re going to be able to do together.” pic.twitter.com/JaxnMvl6uA

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) March 30, 2026

Contractually, I imagine the biggest hold up is the guaranteed money. Jackson will in all likelihood surpass Dak Prescott’s league-leading $60 million average per year, but exactly how much of that will be guaranteed?

The five highest paid quarterbacks in average annual value are listed below, as well as the percentage of fully guaranteed money in their contract.

Dak Prescott: 4-year $240M ($129M GTD): 53.8%

Joe Burrow: 5-year $275M ($146.51M GTD): 53.3%

Josh Allen: 6-year $330M ($147M GTD): 44.5%

Jordan Love: 4-year $220M ($100.8M GTD): 45.8%

Trevor Lawrence: 5-year $275M ($142M GTD): 51.6%

My prediction for Lamar’s next mega-deal, a 5-year $315 million contract with $170-175 million fully guaranteed (~55%).

Brown was also asked about the potential fallout with other organizations as a result of the Maxx Crosby situation from three weeks ago. He declined to give any definitive answer, but logic says that simply doesn’t make sense. I really do wonder how long this will continue to be a media talking point.

It’s not like Trey Hendrickson magically became a free agent overnight. If the Ravens preferred Trey over Maxx, why do the trade in the first place?

It made me smile a couple days ago when the Browns backed out of signing A.J. Epenesa due to some question marks surrounding his physical. Epenesa had 2.5 sacks and two interceptions last year in Buffalo, but had six or more sacks in the three seasons prior. Obviously it’s nowhere near equal magnitude, but it happens.

Surely agents and players will now refuse to negotiate with the Browns!

Brown also mentioned the conversations he’s had with the NFL to try and bring the Draft to Baltimore. It seems like this is a topic that comes up annually at the league meetings with the Ravens, but to no avail so far.

In my mind, Baltimore would be the perfect setting for the NFL Draft. There’s plenty of space around the stadiums to work with, and the inner harbor is just a short walk away. Would the traffic get to a point where it doesn’t clear up for two days? Maybe. Would it be worth it to host an event with that much pageantry in our city? Hell yeah.

The post OTL: Sashi Brown Says Baltimore Still Wants the NFL Draft appeared first on Russell Street Report.

Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/03/31/out-to-lunch/baltimore-nfl-draft/