Latest news with #TomBlair
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens Urged To Sign Lamar Jackson To Mega-Extension
Ravens Urged To Sign Lamar Jackson To Mega-Extension originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Baltimore Ravens are one of the few teams in football that would not trade their quarterback for anything. Lamar Jackson doesn't just make the Ravens perennial contenders. He's the engine of the offense and the biggest factor in forging Baltimore's identity. Advertisement He's also eligible for an extension, and after several quarterbacks have separated Jackson from the top of the market. Jackson signed a five-year, $260 million contract that temporarily made him the sport's highest-paid player. By average annual value, he now ranks 10th. Subsequently, a new deal could be signed before the season, rightfully putting him amongst the best-compensated passers in the NFL. NFL Media recently urged the Ravens to sign Jackson to a massive extension, ranking him as the player most deserving of a raise. 'Jackson and Patrick Mahomes could probably hold a spot on top of this list forever -- or at least for as long as they are playing football, no matter what their game checks look like,' Tom Blair wrote. 'How much is too much to pay a walking, talking ticket to Super Bowl contention?' Advertisement Jackson almost won his third MVP in 2024 (he took home first-team All-Pro recognition), and it may have been his best season. In terms of passing production, it was easily his most impressive campaign. Jackson logged his first 4,000-yard season in 2024. He led the NFL in touchdown percentage, yards per attempt, passer rating, and quarterback rating. His athleticism under center is unparalleled, making Baltimore's ground game as dangerous as its aerial attack. No passer has more gravity, giving him a skill set only constrained by market tradition and the salary cap. 'Every team is chasing exactly this kind of superpowered generational QB, but most will never get close to rostering one. That feverish pursuit has helped inflate the quarterback market to the point that, somewhat ludicrously, nine signal-callers are paid more per year than the two-time MVP. Advertisement 'The game of Highest-Paid-Player Hot Potato often, of course, seems to be driven more by timing than merit, but this discrepancy is begging to be corrected with a new deal for one of the top talents in football. Hopefully, Baltimore's willingness to publicly discuss the topic is a sign that balance will be restored soon -- and with fewer bumps on the road to resolution than we saw last time.' If there were any doubts about Jackson's worthiness the last time around, he obliterated them with back-to-back MVP-caliber campaigns. Jackson has shown no signs of slowing down, and as he grows into one of the game's best passers, Baltimore can feel even more confident in ensuring he is around for as long as possible. It's only a matter of time before the Ravens make Jackson the highest-paid player in the sport for the second time. Related: Lamar Jackson Is Too Good To Lead NFL in Passing Related: Ravens Won't Play Games With Potential Lamar Jackson Extension This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What Analysts Get Wrong About Baker Mayfield's Buccaneers Deal
What Analysts Get Wrong About Baker Mayfield's Buccaneers Deal originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There is a common misconception when it comes Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. When Mayfield signed a three-year, $100 million extension during the 2024 offseason, analysts compared the deal to similar agreements made by Geno Smith in Seattle (three-years, $75 million). Advertisement Mayfield was coming off a season in which he helped the Buccaneers reach the divisional round of the playoffs. He absolutely earned that money. Now, though, Mayfield has outplayed his current contract. That's the argument made by writer Tom Blair this week. Blair made it clear that Mayfield has outplayed his $33.3 million average. Last season, the former first overall pick set career highs in most statistical categories including passing yards (4,500), touchdowns (41), and passer rating (106.8). There's something that most analysts like Blair get wrong about Mayfield's contract, though. While Mayfield's per-year average is low, his cap hit is just over $23 million for this season. That number is actually $2 million more than Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, and $5 million less than Patrick Mahomes. Advertisement Next offseason, Mayfield's cap hit is set to increase to a whopping $49 million. That cap number will count for 18% of the team's money per Spotrac, and will be $18 million more than Hurts next season. A big reason why the Buccaneers have been able to retain some of their top talent is because of Mayfield's current contract. Compared to other top quarterbacks in the conference, the Oklahoma product costs a fair amount. And at the end of the day, the Buccaneers know they need to retain as much of their talent as possible if they want to make a Super Bowl push. Mayfield may seem like an underpaid asset for Tampa Bay, but the reality is that he is exactly where he needs to be to keep the Bucs in contention. Advertisement Related: Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Has Glowing Scouting Report On Emeka Egbuka Related: Buccaneers Boast Crowded Wideout Room Ahead of Training Camp This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
MoDOT updates on Boone Bridge and Lindbergh Blvd. work, other major projects
ST. LOUIS – On Monday, the Missouri Department of Transportation provided updates on several major projects going on across the St. Louis region. MoDOT's St. Louis District Engineer Tom Blair announced new work set to begin this year. According to Blair, Lindbergh Boulevard, north of Interstate 64, will be closed in both directions some time after Memorial Day to replace the bridge over Deer Creek. Utility workers are currently relocating the gas line at that location in preparation. Construction is expected to be completed this calendar year. Meanwhile, rehab work continues for the westbound I-64/Daniel Boone Bridge connecting St. Charles and St. Louis counties. Beginning in April, work crews will shift two of the westbound lanes of traffic to the eastbound bridge while keeping the innermost westbound lane open. Blair said three lanes will remain open in each direction, with an enforced work zone speed limit of 50 miles per hour. Check for real-time updates. In addition, Blair said the portion of Katy Trail that crosses beneath the bridge will be temporarily closed whenever crews are painting the bridge deck. Along the Interstate 55 corridor in south St. Louis City and County, Blair said crews are pouring the bridge deck for the northbound bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad this coming weekend (March 15-16). MoDOT is looking to switch over to the southbound bridge by April. Blair said all status updates on projects in the St. Louis District and across the state can be found under 'projects' at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
