Ravens want to extend Lamar Jackson ‘as soon as they can’
By Justin Fried
The Baltimore Ravens are just a couple of weeks out from training camp, but the majority of headlines surrounding the team continue to be centered on quarterback Lamar Jackson and his impending extension.
It’s going to happen — that we all know. The questions, however, have to do with when and for how much.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler spoke about Jackson’s contract situation on SportsCenter on Saturday and he revealed that the Ravens are looking to get an extension done “as soon as possible.”
General manager Eric DeCosta and company don’t want to sit around and wait. However, it doesn’t appear as though Jackson is in any rush.
The Ravens want to extend Lamar Jackson as soon as possible.
Fowler insisted that while the Ravens are looking to get a deal done soon, talks are still very much in the “preliminary” phase.
"“The Ravens have been a little bit more proactive than some other teams in trying to sign him. They’ve been full frontal, clear cut — ‘Hey, we want to sign you and get this done, pretty much as soon as we can.’ Lamar Jackson’s his own agent, so I’ve been told he’s doing his own research. He’s been talking to the team, but it’s more still in that preliminary talking phase. Nothing has heated up just yet”"
It’s interesting to note that the Ravens have apparently been “more proactive” than other teams when it comes to extending their quarterback, according to Fowler.
We could only assume that statement is referring to the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns who are both looking to extend their quarterbacks, Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield, in the near future.
It’s long been a question about whether the Ravens would wait for one of those deals to get done first or if they would be the initial team to flinch.
Evidently, they seem content being the first time to extend their young franchise quarterback. But Jackson isn’t in any hurry.
As Fowler states, Jackson’s lack of an agent has likely delayed talks as he’s conducted the majority of the negotiation process. He has a team of advisors as well as his mother who might be involved in extension talks.
He’s not alone — but his situation is certainly a unique one.
Ultimately, the two sides will eventually agree to terms on an extension, likely making Jackson one of the highest-paid players in NFL history. We’re talking upward to $40 million per year — in line with what Dak Prescott is making.
It’s hard to say that the former NFL MVP isn’t worth that, though.
The Ravens want an extension done soon. Lamar Jackson might be biding his time. Either way, it will get done.
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But it remains to be seen when the two sides will reach an agreement.