PHOENIX — Lamar Jackson unleashed his newest shock in his ongoing contract saga with the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, saying that he had requested a commerce from the workforce simply as coach John Harbaugh sat down to talk to reporters on the NFL’s annual league assembly.
Jackson, who represents himself, tweeted that he requested the commerce on March 2 because the workforce “has not been enthusiastic about assembly my worth” in contract talks.
“… I like the sport of soccer and my dream is to assist a workforce win the tremendous bowl,” he tweeted, including that Ravens followers “are nice however I needed to make a enterprise choice that was finest for my household and I. Regardless of how far I am going or the place my profession takes me, I will proceed to be near my followers of Baltimore Flock nation and your complete State of Maryland. You may See me once more.”
Harbaugh was requested instantly about Jackson’s tweet as he was sitting down on the AFC coaches’ breakfast.
“I have never seen the tweet. It is an ongoing course of,” Harbaugh mentioned. “I am following it very intently, identical to everybody else right here. I am wanting ahead to a decision.”
With reporters packed shoulder to shoulder round his desk, Harbaugh constantly remained upbeat about Jackson. He smiled and cracked the occasional joke whereas answering 32 questions throughout his 27-minute media session.
Harbaugh mentioned he’s nonetheless constructing the offense round Jackson and would not see a broken relationship with the 2019 NFL MVP. However Harbaugh acknowledged that there’s uncertainty surrounding Jackson’s scenario.
“I do not know what route it will go,” Harbaugh mentioned. “I haven’t got a crystal ball. I can not inform the longer term. However I do know no matter occurs goes to be good. It is going to be OK. I’ve my hopes. I like Lamar Jackson.”
The Ravens positioned the nonexclusive franchise tag on Jackson on March 7 — 5 days after Jackson mentioned he made his commerce request — which allowed him to barter with different groups. If Jackson indicators a proposal sheet, Baltimore would have 5 days to both match it or obtain two first-round picks as compensation. If there isn’t a provide sheet, Jackson would earn $32.416 million this season if he performs underneath the tag.
Requested whether or not he was sure that Jackson would play this season underneath the tag, Harbaugh mentioned, “I do not know,” including that he hadn’t spoken to Jackson about that.
Harbaugh mentioned “it has been some time” because the final time he talked with Jackson. His final interplay with Jackson was by a textual content message in regards to the offense and the teaching employees.
However Harbaugh nonetheless believes Jackson will probably be his quarterback in Week 1.
“You bought to plan for all of the contingencies, for positive,” Harbaugh mentioned. “I am fairly fired up about Lamar Jackson. Lamar Jackson is a good participant. Lamar got here again in nice form final yr. He is fired as much as play. That is the Lamar that I am wanting ahead to seeing.”
Final September, a supply advised ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen that Jackson turned down a proposal from Baltimore that included $133 million assured at signing, $175 million assured for damage and $200 million in complete ensures if he is on the roster on the fifth day of the 2026 league yr.
The $200 million would rank second amongst all quarterbacks to Deshaun Watson (5 years, $230 million assured) and would surpass offers signed by Kyler Murray ($103.3 million assured at signing) and Russell Wilson ($124 million assured at signing) final yr. Schefter and Mortensen reported in September that Jackson desires a totally assured deal much like Watson’s.
Jackson hasn’t talked about his contract since Week 1 of final season, and he hasn’t spoken to reporters since Dec. 2.
Requested whether or not he thought the timing of Jackson’s tweet Monday was to exert strain, Harbaugh responded, “I actually do not know. It is a part of the enterprise of soccer.”
Jackson’s playmaking skill has made the Ravens one of the vital profitable groups over the previous 5 seasons. His file of 45-16 (.738) is the fourth-best of any quarterback who debuted within the Tremendous Bowl period, trailing solely Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and Roger Staubach. Jackson was named the NFL’s MVP after the 2019 season. The Ravens have struggled with out Jackson the previous two seasons, going 3-9 (.308) in his absence.
However Jackson’s passing and sturdiness have come underneath scrutiny. Over the previous two seasons, Jackson has totaled 33 landing passes and 20 interceptions and has missed 11 video games, together with a playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals final season.
The Ravens employed Todd Monken as their new offensive coordinator this offseason, and Harbaugh repeatedly mentioned they’re constructing the brand new offense round Jackson.
“That is the man I wish to see be our quarterback. That is my man,” Harbaugh mentioned. “We decided to go along with Lamar Jackson 5 years in the past. Why? As a result of we love him. We love the best way he performs, we love his mindset, his charisma, his fashion — every little thing about him we love him.”
Jackson’s tweet is one other surprising twist in his negotiations with the Ravens, which have spanned 25 months.
Final week, the NFL warned groups in a memo that they’re permitted to barter solely with Jackson as a result of he doesn’t have an NFLPA-certified agent. The NFL can nice groups $47,000 if a membership negotiates a contract with an agent or consultant not verified by the NFLPA.
Requested when he would need Jackson’s scenario resolved, Harbaugh joked, “yesterday” earlier than including, “I simply admire that it is being dealt with with class. Lamar has dealt with it with class.”
Harbaugh insisted all the drama is the enterprise {of professional} sports activities.
“It is going to work itself out,” Harbaugh mentioned. “If we’re taking part in soccer subsequent yr and Lamar Jackson is our quarterback, we’re all going to be completely satisfied. He will be fired as much as play. He will be completely satisfied to be on the market taking part in, too. It is a fluid sort of a factor. There is not any intervals in any of this.”
Jackson’s commerce request was the speak of the league assembly on Monday. Indianapolis Colts basic supervisor Chris Ballard mentioned his workforce would think about Jackson, whom he referred to as “a particular participant.”
Nonetheless, Washington Commanders GM Martin Mayhew mentioned his workforce is transferring ahead with Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett, and New York Jets GM Joe Douglas mentioned his focus is on buying Aaron Rodgers and he would not pivot to Jackson to place strain on the Packers, saying “it will be disingenuous and negotiating in dangerous religion if we went down that path.”
Robert Kraft, in the meantime, mentioned rapper Meek Mill, a great buddy of the Patriots proprietor, texted him just lately to say that Jackson wished to play for New England. Kraft mentioned he responded that may be a choice that belongs to educate Invoice Belichick.
