On Sunday, Lamar Jackson was not seen on the sidelines of the Baltimore Ravens‘ exit from the playoffs.
There has been league-wide speculation on this situation.
Is Jackson making some contractual statement, or is his injury genuinely affecting his ability to travel with the team?
No matter the real reason, the Ravens front office continues to tell their side of the story.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta on whether he feels Lamar Jackson's missing the final six games had anything to do with not having a long-term deal: "My feeling is no. He was hurt."
DeCosta said the timing of the injury was just bad luck for Jackson and bad luck for the Ravens.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 19, 2023
The Ravens’ general manager, Eric DeCosta, spoke about the situation yesterday afternoon.
This was the first time that the Ravens have publicly responded to this situation, which has largely been driven by members of NFL media.
Jackson hasn’t played in a game or practiced with the Ravens since December 4, making it almost two months since he has played any sort of meaningful football.
The Ravens have yet to sign Jackson to a long-term contract, despite the two sides trying to work out a deal for the last two seasons.
Jackson was the fourth quarterback taken in the 2018 NFL Draft and joins Josh Allen as the only other superstar of the bunch.
The Buffalo Bills signed Allen to a massive extension heading into 2022, locking him up for the next six seasons.
Jackson could be looking for a contract similar to this, because he adds incredible value to the Ravens offense, and has already won an MVP award.
The front office will need to get a deal done, and quickly at that.
The landscape of quarterbacks in the NFL is changing, and Jackson is a big part of that change.
Players like Jackson won’t wait around forever.
NEXT: Ravens HC Makes Definitive Lamar Jackson Statement