The Ravens’ season came to an end last night, but there remains a major storyline which is likely to surround the franchise well into the offseason. Quarterback Lamar Jackson was absent from the game against the Bengals, and his latest comments on his contract status have added further to the speculation regarding his future. 
The 26-year-old suffered a PCL sprain in Week 13 and was immediately believed to be facing a multi-week absence. His prognosis changed over time, however, and with each passing week at the end of the regular season it became increasingly noteworthy that he did not return to the lineup. Not long after he personally provided an update on the status of his injured knee (including, specifically, the matter of swelling not reducing as hoped), he was ruled out for the wild-card round. He did not travel with the Ravens to Cincinnati.
That stood in contrast to what the team had hoped with respect to Jackson’s recovery timeline and invited plenty of questions concerning the former MVP’s willingness to return to action as the offseason — and, therefore, the latest round of contract negotiations — approached. In response to public backlash and reports of internal frustration on the matter, the Ravens made it clear they remain “all-in” on committing to him on a long-term deal. Such a move clearly remains the target from Jackson’s perspective.
“When you have something good,” he said in an Instagram post, “you don’t play with it. You don’t take chances losing it. You don’t neglect it. When you have something good, you pour into it. You appreciate it. Because when you take care of something good, that good thing takes care of you too” (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk).
Those comments can certainly be construed as a less-than-subtle directive to Baltimore’s front office, which has been in talks with the agent-less signal-caller on and off for multiple offseasons. The matter of guarantees has long been known to be the sticking point in contract talks, with the historic Deshaun Watson deal (five years, $230MM fully guaranteed) representing precedent for a similar mega-extension, though the summer’s other QB deals pointed to the market heading in a different direction.
Jackson is scheduled to hit free agency for the first time when his rookie contract expires in March, but Baltimore is expected to use the franchise tag on him to prevent his departure. With the drama surrounding this situation suggesting a long-term deal may not be likely, the central question could become which tag (exclusive or non-exclusive) the Ravens use. The former would carry a substantial one-year cap burden, while the latter would open the door to an offer sheet coming into play.
With the Ravens now turning their attention to an evaluation of their offense – one which was far less productive during Jackson’s absence – the matter of his contract will dominate headlines for weeks to come.
I read a comment on some site that Jay Cutler had the exact same injury during a playoff game while in Chicago and played through it. He was heavily criticized for his play. I remember Rivers playing against NE in the playoffs w/ a torn knee muscle.
Lamar cares about only 1 thing, his salary. Baltimore should say good riddance.
Michael Vick said the same on pre game show this weekend. He had same injury and played through it just fine.
This guy is a shame. He let his team down by refusing to play. All he cares about is his contract. But no team is giving him anything close to what he’s asking. His body is starting to fail already. Only goes down hill from here
When he had gold caps to start the season saying ‘I need to be paid’ or something to that effect, I would have traded him.
Thank god you have no front office decision making powers. You and LITTLEJON make wonderful internet GM’s though. Of course, a guy w/o a guaranteed contract should go out and jeopardize his future earning b/c some other idiots did it, or said he should do it. Makes total sense
You’d pay well over $200m to an immature player that uses gold caps to make his point? Ha! Thanks for the laugh. And then sits out on his team. Actually you could be the GM of the Cards, Browns, Panthers et al the continually losing franchises.
No, I’d pay whatever the market suggests for productive players. I don’t care about CAPS, unlike stupid people. Only people who feel he should play hurt, are people who have no talent, or people who have nothing to lose. That’s why he made a GREAT business decision. KUDOS to him
This is what his teammate said: “In this league, everybody is pretty much banged up, hurt,” receiver Sammy Watkins told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post on Wednesday.
Do you want me to post his comments how he thinks he’s sitting due to his contract & not injury?
You’re using a quote from SAMMY WATKINS of all people lecturing someone about playing hurt?? I know not to take anything you say serious going forward. SAMMY WATKINS
“It’s the playoffs, you are three games away,” Vick said Saturday. “Put a brace on it, get it going. Put a brace on it, let’s go.
‘…Bosa continued (via ESPN). “I need to be more accountable for my actions, obviously, but it’s a heated game and I’m hurting out there, I’m playing on half a leg, I’m getting dragged to the ground, whatever,…’
Better for you?
“Productive” ?? This guy has missed significant time the last 2 years. What “running quarterback “ has played at a high level for more than 6 years??
Not worth the risk. Lamar will regret not signing that deal last summer
When it comes to playoffs you have to be all in, everybody is playing hurt. It’s go time. Jackson not playing just proves how selfish he is.
Spot on. After 18 weeks, who isn’t hurting to some degree?
No one has any idea how hurt Jackson is or was. Suggesting otherwise is ridiculous. No one is going to risk their career just to play a single playoff game. Ask Tua how playing through injury is working out….
Good for him I hope he makes a billion dollars
So he can feed his baby mamas?
I would match the contract that D Watson received
Cutler quit on the Bears in a playoff game against the Packers so he’s a bad example. Arty is usually a strong defender of players getting themselves the best deal they can so this is an odd about face.
Seems likely he has played his last snap in Baltimore.
Why would Baltimore commit to a multi year for a player who’s frequently injured? His style of play will most likely lead to more. He wants $50 mil a year on a multi year contract? Thats an easy no.
And his public expression of criticism towards the organization in regards to contract negotiations can not be sitting well with Biscotti. Can’t have that in the team franchise leader.
If some team is dumb enough to give him deshaun Watson money then let him walk. He made a business decision and quit on the team.
The tag system is stupid. If a player is a free agent it should just be unrestricted. Forcing players, even at high salaries, to stay in 1 year deals forestalling their free agency seems unnecessary.
Agreed upon by the NFLPA.
Can’t pay one guy $50 million and then put together a competitive team around them. Just ask Joe Flacco
I was rooting for Baltimore just to see what Jacksons response would be next week.
The ideal turnout would be either a trade or an offer sheet.
So a <100% mobile QB without a contract is criticized for not suiting up?
I suppose he should’ve put his economic future on the line “…because…”
*chuckle*
As close as Baltimore came to the upset last night, Lamar’s character is on the line but not the ONE touch Dobbins got the multiple times Baltimore was in the red zone.
fascinating …
They should compare him to Dak. They’re both avg quarterbacks who have gotten worse and worse as time goes by.
And yet the Cowboys won again
Got to love all the Drs out there criticizing Jackson for refusing to play when his health wasn’t good enough to do so. Oh wait, none of these people are Drs…just keyboard heros, got it. Fact is the Ravens not only refused to pay him (I wouldn’t either) but they also refused to build a competent offense around him. Seems like expecting him to play on a 1 year tag is just madness. He’s proven he won’t be all-in for a franchise who isn’t all-in for him. Better be careful what you wish for Ravens fans..good QBs are hard to find.
Super Bowl victories are also hard to come by. Just ask the Bengals.
Lol, ask the Bills and Vikings
I love reading that the Bears have their QB in Fields because he’s a great running QB! Look at Lamar how far that get’s you 24 years old? last 2 seasons marred with injures.
Dude, just because you “post the most” doesn’t mean you have any clue what you’re talking about. I’m sure plenty of athletes would enjoy an NFL MVP but the age of 24. I see you conveniently left that part out in all of your diatribes
Fields stats this year
Yards 26th
TD’s 17th
Picks 22nd
QBR 17th.
T Lawrence stats this year
yards 9th
td 8th
int 8th
QBR 15th
See the difference in growth? No one thought anything of the Jags before the season as well.
The Ravens are 15-9 the last 2 seasons when Lamar Jackson started. The games he missed they’re 2-10
So he’s missed 12 games? Thanks didn’t know it was that many. 6 games a year is what around 30% of the games each season?
Maybe Lamar should hire Roquan’s agent….
Tag and trade scenario? There would be plenty of suitors.
I can’t wait for the Ravens to break the bank on this guy and ruin their team for the next 5 years when he only plays half of each season.
I have no problem with LJ not playing if he was physically unable to be 100%. Not traveling with the team, though, would get under my skin. He’s played in the postseason before and could possibly have been very helpful to a young QB in a high stakes, high stress situation. I read that as quitting on your team.
Good bye Chuaka
Hell, give him 3 yrs, 300m w/225m guaranteed. If he takes it great, if not see ya. He’s not getting 5 yrs 250m guaranteed
The ravens need to dump him. I think he quit on them. when you have players saying that they hope Lamar has the heart to play, and the JK Dobbins said after the game that they would have won with Lamar tells me this was Lamar’s decision.
The coaching staff is getting aggravated b/c they have no updates for fans. HES WONT PLAY B/C HE DOESN’T HAVE A NEW DEAL AND THIS WAS HIS WAY OF SHOWING THE TEAM AND THE FANS HES DONE WITH THEM. I hope he gone, Baltimore can get a haul and go rebuild that TRASH offense that you used in the early 2000’s costing ray Lewis, es Reed, Todd heap, and T-sizzle at least 1 more ring. (I know Todd heap never won a ring BTW)
They can’t get a haul for him. He is a FA this off-season and last I checked it’s pretty hard to trade a FA.
Baltimore made him a very generous offer before the season which he turned down because not every dollar was guaranteed. NO team is giving him a fully guaranteed contract. It will not happen. He needs an actual agent instead of his mom.
I see some real potential in Lamar as a philosopher but even the best Greek ones weren’t paid $40MM a year.