Entering the final season of his rookie contract — without signing an extension — Lamar Jackson called rumors of an impending breakup with the Ravens a “false narrative.”

Acting as his own agent, he’s chosen not to discuss an extension yet, meaning he’ll play the 2022 season on his fifth-year option worth $23 million.

While it’s become the norm to sign an extension after Year 3 (Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen), Jackson could conceivably log three more years before making a long-term decision — which could bring him historic money in an exploding QB market if he delivers a title.

• The Ravens could put the franchise tag on him for 2023 and 2024 (estimated $32M and $39M, respectively); Jackson would be an FA in 2025.
• Owner Steve Bisciotti said Wednesday he understood Jackson’s patience, hypothesizing a $60M AAV figure “because that’s where [the market] will be four years from now.”
• Aaron Rodgers’ $50.3M AAV is the league’s highest, followed by Deshaun Watson ($46M), Mahomes ($45M), and Allen ($43M).

Jackson won the 2019 MVP, is a two-time Pro Bowler, and has gone 37-12 as a starter in the regular season.

In 2020, he led Baltimore to a third straight postseason and became the first QB with multiple 1,000-yard rushing campaigns.

Bisciotti added that he wants to sign Jackson long-term, but Watson’s historic five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal with the Browns spiked the market.

When Bruce Arians stepped down as the Buccaneers’ head coach Wednesday, he said he wanted to ensure incoming HC Todd Bowles “would have the best opportunity to succeed.”

With QB Tom Brady back in the fold and much of Tampa Bay’s winning core intact, that’s the immediate reality. But the Bucs, who reportedly signed Bowles to a five-year contract, are clearly also entrusting him with a new QB down the road.

Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but Arians was reportedly tied for the seventh-highest-paid coach ($8M) in the league last season, and Bowles proved to be a key part of Tampa’s success for three years.

• With Bowles as defensive coordinator, the Bucs have been at least a top-nine unit every season, per DVOA.
• The defense allowed just nine points to the high-powered Chiefs offense in their Super Bowl LV victory.
• Bowles is now the sixth minority HC in the NFL and the third hired this offseason.
• He’s the fourth Black HC in franchise history, double that of any other team.

One caveat for the defensive mastermind, who was the Jets HC from 2015-18: Although New York went 10-6 in Bowles’ first season with Ryan Fitzpatrick, it ranked 25th or worse in offensive DVOA in each of the next three seasons when he brought in Josh McCown and Sam Darnold.

While Tampa still has well-regarded offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich leading the offense, he could earn a head coaching job himself as soon as next offseason.

After a historic run in the men’s tournament with St. Peter’s, head coach Shaheen Holloway agreed to a six-year deal with Seton Hall.

The 45-year-old became the first coach to lead a 15-seed — and a MAAC program — into the Elite Eight, upsetting Kentucky, Murray State, and Purdue along the way.

Transitioning from the small Metropolitan conference to the Big East not only gives Holloway more exposure in only his second head coaching job, but also the proper financial windfall.

• For reference, St. Peter’s allocated just $1.6M for basketball in 2019-20 — the three teams they defeated in the tournament spent $29.6M.
• Holloway made roughly $300,000 at St. Peter’s before taking a pay cut during the pandemic.
• The New York Post reported that he’ll earn a base salary of $2.4M over six years — similar to what departing HC Kevin Willard made.

South Orange is familiar territory for Holloway. He’s the school’s all-time assists leader and led them to a Sweet 16 in 2000. He was also an assistant coach under Willard for 11 seasons at Iona and Seton Hall before taking over at St. Peter’s in 2018.

Meanwhile, back in Jersey City, the Peacocks will have $71 million to work with thanks to their Elite Eight run — and are reportedly interested in Rutgers assistant Brandin Knight.