NFL insider provides latest update in Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens contract talks

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has emerged as a star in the NFL ever since he was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, falling as far as 32nd overall, but the Ravens have yet to show a full-fledged commitment to their franchise player.

In just four years with the Ravens, Jackson has twice been named to the NFL’s Pro Bowl, once been named an All Pro and, in 2019, he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. But now, for the second straight season, there’s been no indication that the Ravens are keen on giving Jackson a long-term contract extension, begging the question: what’s going on?

Ravens general manager Eric DeCoasta said it’s been an “unusual negotiation” with Jackson, his star quarterback, because Jackson does not have a traditional agent — in other words, he’s approaching Jackson directly for contract inquiries.

Overall, according to Ravens insider Jamison Hensley, it’s not the end-all be-all if they can’t come to an agreement this offseason. After all, Jackson still is under contract through the 2022 season, so Baltimore can continue to have conversations through next year.

“At this point, I would say we’re working at Lamar’s pace,” DeCosta said, via ESPN. “He’s comfortable where we are right now.

“We will operate based on his urgency.”

Despite the negotiation standstill, Jackson’s lack of an agent doesn’t necessarily worry the Ravens, according to DeCosta. Instead, it just makes the process a bit slower.

“I’ve always spoke with Lamar, DeCosta said. “It was made clear to me early on in the process that Lamar and I would work together. That’s been the case.

“I know Lamar knows he can come up to see me at any point,” he said. “He can call me at any point. He can text me at any point.”

John Harbaugh reveals severity of Lamar Jackson’s injury

Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson went down with an apparent ankle injury in the Ravens’ Week 14 loss to the Cleveland Browns, and he was unable to return for the duration of the season.

Ultimately, the Ravens finished with an 8-9 record, squandering a strong start to the season by losing the final four games — all without Jackson — to the Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. As late as Week 17, the Ravens had a chance, albeit a slim one, of making the NFL Playoffs, but despite Jackson returning to practice in a limited capacity in Week 16, he was unable to return and was limping throughout walk-throughs.

Harbaugh on Monday addressed the media and discussed Jackson’s injury, which, although serious, was not as bad as it could have been. There were no setbacks in his recovery, nor were there any ligaments damaged; rather, Harbaugh said there was a bone bruise issue that arose when the Ravens quarterback first hurt his ankle.

“I think early on, right away, you hope for the best with a bone bruise,” Harbaugh said in his season-ending press conference, via Pro Football Talk. “Those things are really unpredictable. And there was a thought — and even with Lamar, Lamar felt he was going to be back. First week, he thought he had a chance. Second week, he assured me — he said, ‘I’ll be back, I’ll be back.’ He worked really hard at getting back. But it just didn’t really heal.”

According to Pro Football Talk, Harbaugh also noted in the press conference that Jackson’s bone bruise was in an area of the ankle where there isn’t much blood flow, potentially complicating matters. Harbaugh said that was why it took Jackson so long to heal, and added that the Ravens’ star quarterback was in a walking boot as of Week 18.

“He was still limping even at the end of the season,” Harbaugh said. “I talked to him Saturday and he said he felt great. He said he was really getting better. And he said he felt really confident that he was going to get started. He said he’s starting back to work the day after the Super Bowl. That’s his time frame to get going. He should be healed up by then.”

Two seasons removed from his MVP-winning 2019 campaign for the Ravens, Lamar Jackson this season amassed 2,882 passing yards on a 64.4 completion rate, along with 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also added 133 rushing attempts for 767 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.