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The tone had shifted dramatically. Sure, Lamar Jackson's social media presence with the Baltimore Ravens hasn't been entirely negative in recent weeks. Jackson praised love in the world, his followers, and the fitness product he promotes.
But what about the club that drafted him in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and the team that still has his 2023 playing rights, whether he likes it or not? Jackson has bemoaned his injury history and the resulting perception of his dedication to the squad. Jackson went so far as to disclose on March 27 that he had sought a trade from the organization on March 5.
A few minutes later, Jackson uploaded a screenshot of himself Face Timing with his newest teammate and possible target on Instagram. Both players smiled and extended two fingers in the shape of a peace sign. It was a fitting gesture for an acquisition described by former NFL general manager Mark Dominik, whose Tampa Bay Buccaneers career includes a Super Bowl victory and five years as general manager, as a "olive branch."
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The Ravens defied many trends by signing Beckham. They defied league free agency trends by paying $15 million to a 30-year-old receiver coming off two ACL tears in a year when no other receiver earned more than $11 million. And the Ravens defied team tradition by signing Beckham, who was named to three Pro Bowls from 2014 to 2016. The Ravens have never had a Pro Bowl receiver since their debut in 1996 (receiver Devin Duvernay did win special-teams Pro Bowl honors as a returner last season). In comparison, every other NFL club has had at least one receiver named to the Pro Bowl since 2011, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
If Instagram (which, breaking news, is not always congruent with reality), Beckham looks to have already influenced Jackson's feelings toward the Ravens to some extent. Nonetheless, one NFC official questioned if this would transfer to on-field success. Beckham and Jackson's relationship precedes their new partnership, with Beckham writing "BOY U DIFFFF" on Jackson's most recent positive Ravens Instagram post, which was posted on November 20.
The executive mentioned the Las Vegas Raiders trade for receiver Davante Adams last year, who was coming off his second consecutive All-Pro selection and sixth straight Pro Bowl participation. Adams' tight friendship with his college quarterback, Derek Carr, prompted the move.
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Dominik, the NFC executive, and the AFC coach all agreed that while Beckham's signing increases Jackson's chances of playing on the franchise tag in 2023, it doesn't give him any more hope for a long-term career with the Ravens — on a contract negotiated this year or even next.
Beckham was said to be looking for a multi-year contract. Instead, the Ravens paid him more than market value for only one season.
The signing of Beckham addresses a need that the Ravens needed to fill, whether it be at quarterback with Jackson, Tyler Huntley, or another acquisition. The Ravens' offense is structured such that an athletic, versatile quarterback may excel. Todd Monken, the first-year offensive coordinator, has a stronger receiver experience than former coordinator Greg Roman, which bodes well for a smooth integration of Beckham. And the Ravens have only five selections in this year's draft, with only one in the top 85. Even though the execution and pricing raised questions, starting to address the glaring receiver need that's been there since they dealt Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals last year was important.
Daniel Weinman was crowned winner of the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event on Monday, taking home a record breaking $12.1 million in winnings. Weinman had to outlast the other 10,043 entrants to take home the prize and get his hands on his share of live poker’s largest ever prize pool – a staggering $93,399,900. As well as taking home the prize money, 35-year-old Weinman also got his hands on the WSOP Main Event bracelet. The huge bracelet contains 500 grams of 10-karat yellow gold, as well as 2,352 various precious gemstones.
Daniel Weinman won the World Series of Poker's main event world championship on Monday in Las Vegas, earning $12.1 million along the way. Playing in the tournament for a 16th year, Weinman was tops in a deep pool of 10,043 players vying for $93.39 million. His victory came after just 164 hands at the final table. "I was honestly on the fence about even coming back and playing this tournament," the 35-year-old Atlanta native told reporters afterward. Weinman's final table featured Jan-Peter Jachtmann, who landed in fourth place and took home $3 million, as well as Toby Lewis, who finished seventh and secured $1.42 million. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the main event's entry pool far outpaced the previous record of 8,773 set in 2006. "I've always kind of felt that poker was kind of going in a dying direction, but to see the numbers at the World Series this year has been incredible," Weinman said. "And to win this main event, it doesn't feel real. I mean, [there's] so much luck in a poker tournament. I thought I played very well." Steven Jones finished second, securing $6.5 million. And Adam Walton settled for third and a $4 million prize.
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