Newsome: Watson's deal complicated Lamar negotiations

Baltimore Ravens executive vice president Ozzie Newsome admitted that the team's standoff with star quarterback Lamar Jackson is due in part to a precedent set by an AFC North rival.

Newsome said owner Steve Bisciotti partly blames Deshaun Watson's fully guaranteed five-year, $230-million Cleveland Browns contract for the impasse.

"I don't worry about what other people do, but our owner did say that contract did create some problems," Newsome said on the "Bernie Kosar Show" on Wednesday. "We have to figure out if that's going to be the norm or is that an outlier. We don't know."

The Ravens and Jackson have been negotiating a long-term contract for several months but reportedly aren't close to a deal. The two-time Pro Bowler blasted a report earlier this month that suggested he turned down a contract for $200 million guaranteed, instead suggesting the offer was worth $133 million guaranteed.

Baltimore placed the non-exclusive tag on Jackson last month, which allows interested suitors to sign the former MVP to an offer sheet. The Ravens would be compensated with two first-rounders if they decline to match any offer Jackson signs.

Baltimore and Jackson have until the July 17 deadline for franchise-tagged players to negotiate a long-term contract.

A representative for Jackson has reached out to multiple teams on his behalf in order to spark negotiations for an offer sheet, sources told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.

However, many quarterback-needy clubs have quickly dismissed interest in the 26-year-old one week into free agency.

Jackson has posted a 45-16 record while passing for 12,209 yards, 101 touchdowns, and 38 interceptions with a 63.7% completion rate during his five-year career. The dual-threat passer has also rushed for 4,437 yards and 24 touchdowns. However, Jackson has missed five games in the final stretch of the regular season in each of the past two years.