Lamar Jackson spoke to the media for the first time this year. He didn't report to the Baltimore Ravens facility until the start of the mandatory minicamp on Tuesday because he chose to train on his own.
The very first question was posed. He didn't attend the voluntary part of the workouts.
Jackson told the media that he just wanted to grind. I wanted to go back and see how I was. I think I'm doing well. If I stayed at home, how would my guys feel? It is cool according to them. They want to get some chemistry. We are going to get that when we return. James Proche andRashad Bateman were out in California with me.
A logical question to start the press conference with, but the reason for it was the main topic for the entire nine-minute session.
The Ravens picked up their fifth-year option on Jackson, guaranteeing him $23 million for the 2022, but that is it. They could franchise-tag him next year, but this isn't a situation where starting quarterbacks find themselves after winning an award.
The Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback signed a nine-figure extension. The Bills took Josh Allen in the same draft as Jackson. Jackson had an average-yearly salary of $2.3 million before this season, and he has been playing on that for the last two years.
He told the media that his decision to be elsewhere during the organized team activities had nothing to do with his contract, and he was evasive when asked about his extension. Jackson said, "we're having conversations."
Steve Biscotti said in April that the onus is on Jackson to start those conversations.
Biscotti said that the GM couldn't keep calling him and saying "Hey Lamar, you really need to get in here and get this thing done" It isn't a GM's job
It's true. The front office of the Ravens seems to have a good working relationship with their players, but it still runs a business. If a player doesn't prioritize negotiating a new contract, they can use that time and energy on someone else on the roster.
Jackson has the right to take his contract negotiations at whatever pace he wants. A person can't help but wonder why Jackson is playing on a fifth-year team-option, something quarterbacks usually only settle for when they have no choice. Jackson is the face of the franchise
People will make up their own theories when he doesn't answer questions about why he doesn't have a new contract when the Ravens say they're ready to negotiate. Biscotti thinks Jackson doesn't think he's worthy because he's so focused on winning a Super Bowl. He wants to say that he deserves to be on top.
Jackson shot down that logic when he was asked about it.
I want my Super Bowls, but I think I deserve a contract extension.
Jackson's contract situation has played out to people on the outside looking in, who have content they want to produce over the summer off of it, so we should just leave him alone. No one is responsible for how he handles this.
Jackson has decided to bet on himself both on the field as a football talent and off the field as the person who really has his best interests at heart. At the moment, those are the only legitimate conclusions that can be made. He should not be assumed that the Ravens are taking advantage of him or that he doesn't know what he's doing.
Maybe Jackson will be a lesson for future rookies. At the end of his career, he can make a decision. He doesn't want to talk about how he's still playing on the last year of his contract He shouldn't be used as a pillar of the team because he doesn't know what he's doing.
He's going about his business differently. He can do what he pleases.
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