I posted this on Reddit, but here we go again...
The most important number is the guaranteed AT SIGNING, not the total guarantees. The total guarantees are a really great fluff number for the Ravens to puff their chest on and say, "See, we offered a lot of money!" But the truth is, we have zero idea how the contract was structured. It very well could have been one of those "if you're on the team on the fifth day of the league year, it becomes guaranteed" deals where the team almost assuredly cuts your ass to avoid paying that money. Without knowing the structure, we just simply don't know how good the deal was for Lamar and how likely he was to see the entirety of the guaranteed money.
Take Tyreek Hill's deal as an example of why reported numbers don't matter.
Tyreek Hill signed for four years and $120M. That's crazy money. However, he's out of guaranteed money after this year, bringing the total to $75M total earned. In the final year of his deal, he's due $45M and the Dolphins save that much by cutting him. Who here thinks Hill is staying on the Dolphins with a $50M cap hit and earning that $45M? He's 100% going to be extended or outright cut because the Dolphins are 100% not paying that $45M.
Again, on paper, $120M is a TON, but he won't sniff that. Similarly, $180M guaranteed is great and all, but without knowing the structure, it's simply a fluff number to get people behind the Ravens.
And for what it's worth- I think contracts should be fully guaranteed for everyone, even if it would require an adjustment on salaries overall. Billionaire owners are profiting off of these players putting their bodies and brains on the line every game. Given they'll cut a player to save a dime without a moments notice, players should absolutely milk the organization for every penny they can get.