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OWINGS MILLS, Md. — In his first media session in 5 months, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson supplied little readability about his contract scenario or how he would deal with the shortage of a brand new deal earlier than coaching camp or the beginning of the season.
Jackson deflected questions on his contract scenario Thursday, saying a variation of “We’re having a dialog about it” eight instances throughout a 10-minute information convention.
He did categorical confidence when requested if he believed he would play in Baltimore for the remainder of his profession.
“I anticipate so,” Jackson mentioned. “So, sure, I do.”
Jackson is ready to make $23.016 million on his fifth-year possibility in 2022. If the perimeters cannot attain an extension by subsequent offseason, the Ravens are anticipated to make use of the franchise tag to maintain Jackson from changing into a free agent.
For the primary time in his five-year profession, Jackson skipped the three weeks of voluntary organized workforce actions however mentioned his absence was not contract-related. He reported to obligatory minicamp and took part in all three practices, which marked the primary time he had been within the Ravens’ facility for the reason that season ended 5 months in the past.
He supplied blended messages when pressed how he would proceed going ahead if he did not obtain a brand new deal.
Requested whether or not he would play in Week 1 and not using a new contract, Jackson mentioned, “We’re in dialog proper now.”
A couple of minutes later, Jackson was requested once more whether or not he would present up for coaching camp and play the season with out an extension. “We’re having a dialog about it. I do not know,” he answered.
However throughout the identical interview session, Jackson did not sound like a quarterback considering a holdout. He mentioned he’ll meet together with his vast receivers and tight ends for throwing periods at Florida Atlantic main as much as coaching camp.
“We’ll work, watch some movie and simply construct our chemistry some extra,” Jackson mentioned. “Soccer season is right here, actually. So we’ll grind proper now.”
Jackson additionally mentioned he would not purchase into the narrative that he ought to keep away from the sector until he will get a brand new deal due to his dual-threat type, which some consider leaves him extra weak to damage.
“I play soccer,” Jackson mentioned. “That is what I am right here for.”
Jackson was additionally dismissive concerning the influence of Deshaun Watson‘s contract on his scenario. After being traded to the Cleveland Browns in March, Watson signed a totally assured five-year, $230 million contract, which is $80 million extra assured than anybody else within the NFL had ever obtained.
“I am a person of my very own,” Jackson mentioned. “I do not fear about what these guys get.”
For a lot of the previous yr, Ravens officers have mentioned Jackson has proven no urgency in beginning negotiations. Jackson mentioned he had “a dialog” with the workforce about his contract and they’re “preserving it personal.”
Jackson seemed in nice bodily situation, including 15 kilos of muscle mass to extend his weight to 220 kilos. He threw the ball with extra velocity and confirmed on the spot chemistry with a large receiver group with out Marquise Brown, who was traded to the Arizona Cardinals.
“So far as the throwing, catching and focusing on and playmaking stuff, I used to be completely satisfied to see that,” coach John Harbaugh mentioned. ‘I used to be questioning about it, how was it going to look. To see it look that good and see the form he was in and the way nicely he threw the ball, for a coach, that is thrilling.”
The Ravens do not consider the contact scenario will turn into a distraction for Jackson.
“He is a grasp of that,” Ravens quarterbacks coach James City mentioned. “He is tremendously good at specializing in the duty at hand.”
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