OWINGS MILLS, Md. — whereas some have expressed uncertainty regarding the best approach forward for Lamar Jackson exterior the Baltimore Ravens‘ facility, his teammates strongly supported their starting quarterback after Monday’s final staff meeting of the season.
A day following the Ravens’ 24-17 wild-card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the gamers expressed optimism that Jackson could be again in Baltimore subsequent season and mentioned he did every part he may to return from a knee damage.
“you most likely can not let a man like him go,” Ravens defensive finish Calais Campbell mentioned. “There’s always some new, thrilling youngster that has potential to go on the market and be good. however this may very properly be a enterprise of ‘for sures’ and ‘knowns,’ and also you already know who Lamar Jackson is. i really feel it is in primarily the handiest curiosity of the Ravens group to current him a protracted-time period contract and make him ‘the man.'”
Jackson’s contract state of affairs is the most vital storyline for the Ravens and maybe the full NFL. Jackson and the Ravens can now resume negotiations on a protracted-time period deal after suspending talks on the start of the common season.
Now, Baltimore ought to decide whether or not to obtain a protracted-time period take care of Jackson, put the franchise tag on him or look to commerce him. After Jackson accomplished out the fifth-yr possibility of his rookie deal this season, the Ravens have decrease than two months to work on a contract extension earlier than they should make use of the franchise tag on him in early March to protect him from turning into an unrestricted free agent.
“In my thoughts, i do know he’ll be right here,” Ravens left sort out Ronnie Stanley mentioned. “he is a competitor. He desires to win. that is his staff, and that is his offense. the money is simply not essential factor with Lamar. He actually desires to win, opposite to in type notion.”
Jackson missed the final six video games with a sprained PCL in his left knee, and the Ravens struggled mightily on offense with out him. Baltimore did not attain elevated than 17 factors in a recreation all by way of Jackson’s absence.
Some NFL analysts, collectively with former quarterback Michael Vick, immediate that Jackson ought to positioned on a brace and assist Baltimore inside the postseason.
“the floor world, and all of the completely different narratives that people paint of their minds, usually it is humorous,” Campbell mentioned. “Lamar Jackson is a man who loves the sport of soccer, and that i truly contemplate he labored as onerous as he may to current himself an alternative to play.”
mentioned Baltimore safety Chuck Clark: “he is not healthful. you have seen him barely strolling right here. you most likely can not stress anyone to play.”
Jackson’s sturdiness has develop to be a extreme subject. relationship to Week 15 of 2021, he has been sidelined for 10 of Baltimore’s previous 22 video games.
final Thursday, Jackson tweeted the severity of his damage, writing that he “suffered a PCL Grade 2 Sprain on the borderline of a stress three.”
“everytime you do this at a extreme stage, you already know everytime you may even be efficient or not,” Stanley mentioned. “I notion Lamar.”
final week, Ravens broad receiver Sammy Watkins implied to The Washington submit that Jackson could be again on the sphere if not for a contract standoff with the staff. On Monday, Watkins clarified his remarks, saying, “If a man is damage and may’t play, he mustn’t be on the market. i used to be simply very egocentric in saying, ‘Shoot, I hope he performs, and that i hope he hobbles on the market.’ It was nothing private. He mentioned one factor to me the completely different day. We laughed about it.”
Jackson did not journey with the Ravens for his or her wild-card recreation in Cincinnati. he is been dealing with an sickness, a supply mentioned.
Jackson did not stroll into the locker room Monday all by way of the hourlong media availability.
“I hope that he’ll be again. that is my man,” Ravens tight finish Mark Andrews mentioned. “i’ve nothing however love and respect for No. eight as a particular person, as a participant and as a buddy.”
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