Ravens ‘truly believe’ Lamar Jackson wants to retire with Baltimore
The Baltimore Ravens are entering the offseason with the primary focus centered on star quarterback Lamar Jackson’s future.
Jackson is set to head into free agency after completing the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, but the Ravens remain confident the two sides can work out a long-term deal to keep the former league MVP in tow.
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“I truly believe Lamar wants to finish his career in Baltimore,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said Thursday in the team’s 45-minute, end-of-season news conference via ESPN.
Jackson went through the entire 2022 season without a new deal to bet on himself to prove his worth to the franchise behind his play. However, he struggled to stay on the field due to a PCL injury that forced him to miss the last several weeks of the regular season and the playoffs.
The Ravens and Jackson were unable to agree to an extension before the campaign as the star quarterback reportedly eyed a similar fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal that Deshaun Watson received from the Cleveland Browns.
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Things appear to remain on the same standing, which could be the breaking point in the contract discussions. The Ravens hold the option to franchise tag Jackson for the 2023 season, which would pay him roughly $40 million.
However, the star quarterback could elect to sit out until the start of the regular season if the two sides don’t work out a long-term deal. There are plenty of routes the situation can head, but there is still time to figure it all out.
