Ravens news: Lamar Jackson extension talks ‘going smoothly’
By Justin Fried
The Baltimore Ravens continue to be engaged in contract extension talks with star quarterback Lamar Jackson. And the latest report seems to indicate that everything is “going smoothly.”
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported on Monday that contract negotiations are proceeding as planned and that a deal will get done at some point.
He also shed some light on who might be representing Jackson in these discussions — something that’s been a frequent point of discussion.
Despite various reports suggesting otherwise, Florio states that Jackson’s mother is not involved in the negotiating process. “She may be advising him, but she’s not negotiating with the Ravens.”
The Ravens and Lamar Jackson appear to be on the same page.
Florio did indicate that Lamar Jackson has a team of advisers who are helping him with this process. He just doesn’t have a “traditional NFLPA-certified agent.”
That does create issues when it comes to negotiating, however, as NFL teams are not permitted to negotiate with agents not certified by the NFLPA.
The identities of these advisers also have not been revealed, although one agent believes that one of them is former NFL safety, Abram Elam. Elam is the older brother of former Ravens’ first-round pick Matt Elam who also did not employ an agent.
The positive of this is that Jackson isn’t going into these negotiations without some form of assistance. This protects him against any scenario where the organization might take advantage of his lack of negotiating experience.
He may not have an official agent, but rest assured Jackson has people who know what they’re doing in his corner.
And by all accounts, everything seems to be going smoothly.
Both sides have publicly expressed the desire for a deal to get done sooner rather than later. The Ravens want Jackson in Baltimore for the foreseeable future and the feeling is mutual.
An extension will get done. It’s all a matter of timing.
Of course, that timing could depend on what happens with both Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield this offseason. Do they wait and use Allen or Mayfield’s extension as a reference point for Jackson’s deal or do they opt to be trend-setters and be the first to extend their young quarterback?
That remains to be seen.
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But what we do know is that everything seems to be going to plan in Baltimore.