The Baltimore Ravens were never going to retain Zay Flowers at a discount. Their success came in keeping his extension from reaching the absolute top of the wide receiver market. Flowers agreed to a four-year, $140 million contract
with a $35 million average annual salary and $108 million guaranteed. The average ties Justin Jefferson for fourth at the position while remaining below Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ja’Marr Chase and Drake London.Smith-Njigba’s $42.15 million average annual salary set the highest benchmark. Chase is next at $40.25 million, while London narrowly exceeds Flowers at approximately $35.26 million. Baltimore therefore secured its two-time Pro Bowl receiver without approaching the $40 million threshold.
Flowers still received outstanding
protection. His $108 million in total guarantees ranks fourth among wide receivers, trailing only Smith-Njigba, Jefferson and Chase. That gave his representatives an elite result while allowing Baltimore to avoid resetting the market.
The agreement also removes the risk of further inflation. Flowers had two years of team control remaining after Baltimore exercised his fifth-year option, but another dominant season could have pushed his asking price higher. Waiting also would have exposed the Ravens to new contracts that could raise the market.
Baltimore instead paid for the player Flowers has become while betting on what he could accomplish during his prime. He owns consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and the franchise’s single-season receiving record for a wide receiver.
The contract is expensive because elite receivers are expensive. Within that market, however, the Ravens found a workable compromise.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens reached a reasonable middle ground in Zay Flowers' contract extension
