The Baltimore Ravens were defeated by the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, 24-17.
Many members of NFL media have attributed this loss to the absence of Lamar Jackson, as he has been out since early December due to injury.
Jackson has been negotiating a new contract with the team for over a year, and, despite a lot of early movement and discussion, an agreement has yet to be reached between the two parties.
Today, head coach John Harbaugh is set to address the media, and Jackson’s contract will be a likely topic of conversation.
#Ravens coach John Harbaugh and GM Eric DeCosta today will address the futures of Roman and Lamar Jackson, a combination that’s helped them to a 39-15 record when Jackson has played since Roman became OC in 2019. Anything other than a stated commitment to Jackson would stun me.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 19, 2023
Jackson was drafted by the Ravens as the 32nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
In his five seasons with the team, Jackson has thrown for 12,209 yards, 101 touchdowns, and 38 interceptions.
Jackson is a known rushing entity and has added 4,437 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on the ground.
In these five years, when Jackson has not been on the field, the Ravens’ record is 4-8, with one of those losses happening this past weekend.
The Ravens are a much better team with Jackson on the field.
For some reason or another, the team has not put their money where their mouth is with Jackson, and they have yet to sign him to the massive contract that’s expected of him.
Also in Jackson’s draft class was Buffalo Bills superstar, Josh Allen, who signed a six-year, $258 million contract with the team.
Jackson will likely be looking for a similar contract to Allen, seeing that Jackson has already won a league MVP, and has proved that he is invaluable for the Ravens’ success.
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brian says
I am a ravens team fan,after all this time,waiting for Lamar Jackson to sign any contract, with the ravens,I do hope they trade him,after they franchise tag him.I really don’t care where he traded too,alot of the ravens fan’s,basically no longer want to hear anymore about him and his larger then life guarenteed contract,he demands.He I guess will get contract,possibly in atlanta.So good luck,and goodbye.