The Pittsburgh Steelers will be closely monitoring the Baltimore Ravens today, who must make a decision on the future of Lamar Jackson, and could Tom Brady decide not to retire, again?
? Today is the day that the Ravens must decide whether or not to use a franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Ravens can place the exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, and guarantee him a contract of around $45 million for 2023, or place the non-exclusive tag on him for about $32 million, which would allow him to negotiate with other teams.
If Jackson and another team agreed to a contract, the Ravens would have right of first refusal. If they choose not to match the deal, they would receive two first-round draft picks.
? According to Rich Eisen of NFL Network, rumors around the NFL Combine in Indianapolis were that Tom Brady might not be 100% committed to this retirement, with the Miami Dolphins being a potential landing spot.
Tom Brady might not be “done after all" with his playing in the NFL, according to @RichEisenShow who talked to people in Indy.
"Folks are saying keep an eye on Miami." pic.twitter.com/G554c1AI6p
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 6, 2023
Brady first announced he was retiring on Feb. 1, 2022, then reversed that decision 40 days later and played the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For the second straight season, Brady led the NFL in completions and attempts, but saw his yards and touchdowns drop off and the Bucs finished 8-9, though they did win the NFC South.
Brady announced he was retiring “for good” on Feb. 1, 2023, and filed his retirement papers with the NFPLA nine days later, though that is not an impediment to him deciding to return to the NFL if he wants to do so. Brady is currently still under contract with the Buccaneers, but it is set to automatically void on March 15. A clause in the contract forbids Tampa from using the franchise tag on him, so he will become a free agent this offseason if he wishes to be.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, are dealing with uncertainty surrounding the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered multiple concussions in 2022. Miami must make a decision about his fifth-year option for the 2024 season before May 1, but it was reported earlier this offseason that he has still not completed the NFL concussion protocol.
? Happy 71st birthday to Hall of Fame wide receiver Lynn Swann, born on this day in 1952 in Alcoa, Tennessee. Swann won four Super Bowls with the Steelers in the 1970s, including an MVP performance in Super Bowl X and finished his career as a three-time Pro Bowler. He was also a part of the NFL All-1970s team and the 1981 winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
? On this date in 1950, late Steelers running back Franco Harris was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey. Harris died in December at the age of 72.
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