How the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson offers with added scrutiny throughout contract talks – Baltimore Ravens Weblog

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey watched Lamar Jackson go right into a Baltimore-area IHOP and knew the Professional Bowl quarterback wouldn’t final lengthy.

Earlier than Jackson may even take into consideration ordering bottomless pancakes, he was being escorted out after getting mobbed by followers.

“He thinks he’s a really regular man, however I’m like, ‘Lamar, you might be Lamar Jackson,’” Humphrey stated. “You’re not me; you’ll be able to’t simply do regular issues.”

And these aren’t regular instances for Jackson, whose contract scenario is without doubt one of the largest storylines within the NFL. The Ravens are negotiating an extension with the previous MVP, who isn’t represented by an agent, and if it doesn’t get accomplished by March, Jackson will probably should play in 2023 beneath the franchise tag with an unsure future in Baltimore.

When Jackson activates the TV, he hears commentary on his contract. When he clicked on Twitter throughout his trip, he learn criticism of his sport by a former Ravens participant.

“I assume that is what comes with it,” Jackson stated lately. “Whenever you’re making an attempt to be nice, once you’re making an attempt to work your tail off, there’s going to be negativity.”

Teammates imagine Jackson is motivated by the criticism. Ravens quarterbacks coach James City stated Jackson is adept at ignoring the surface chatter.

However Jackson hasn’t ignored all the critiques.

In Could, former NFL quarterback Chris Simms stated “[Tom] Brady wouldn’t be lacking OTAs in Yr 4 of his profession,” after Jackson skipped voluntary offseason exercises. Jackson responded on Twitter: “Lamar desires to be Lamar. This a part of OTAs is voluntary.”

Final month, after Jackson was left off a top 10 quarterback ranking, former Ravens security Bernard Pollard wrote on Twitter, “He’s undoubtedly a High 10 expertise however as for a High 10 QB, I don’t see it.” Jackson then had an extended alternate with Pollard, saying, “I by no means heard of you [to be honest]. You bought your Tremendous Bowl explanation for Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.”

Jackson views the exchanges as benign.

“They need dialog; I simply give them somewhat dialog right here and there,” Jackson stated. “But it surely actually isn’t something although. It’s not critical. I’m not mad or something like that. I’m simply participating.”

Regardless of the contract scenario and commentaries, Jackson seems as targeted on soccer as he’s ever been. He bulked up over the offseason, including greater than 10 kilos of lean muscle. Jackson stated he weighs 230 kilos. Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman stated Jackson is throwing the ball higher than he’s ever seen him. Per week and half into camp, Jackson has accomplished near 70% of his passes.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh stated he has by no means been involved about Jackson being distracted by criticism, as a result of he’s handled it by way of highschool, school and the draft course of as a dual-threat quarterback. The most well-liked critique of Jackson is his potential to throw the ball.

An nameless defensive coordinator informed The Athletic final month that he wouldn’t contemplate Jackson a Tier 1 quarterback even when he wins the league MVP 12 instances. “If he has to go to win the sport, they ain’t profitable the sport,” the coordinator stated.

Jackson has been off together with his accuracy at instances, and he threw a career-worst 13 interceptions final 12 months. However final season was his greatest at profitable video games late together with his arm.

In 2021, Jackson led double-digit comebacks within the fourth quarter towards the Kansas City Chiefs and the Indianapolis Colts. His Whole QBR when trailing within the fourth quarter final season (81) ranked fourth within the NFL.

“I do not know who this man named ‘Nameless’ is. I have not met him but,” Harbaugh stated. “So, I do not even know why we report on what he has to say. However it’s what it’s. It is simply baloney; it is simply nothing; it is a huge nothing burger.”

Baltimore exterior linebacker Justin Houston believes the criticism of Jackson is nearly on the identical stage as that of NBA famous person LeBron James.

“It doesn’t matter what this child does, he cannot do proper,” Houston stated. “I like the way in which he is dealing with it. It is simply motivation. So, I pray that everyone retains speaking about him, as a result of it is hearth.”

A few months after being criticized for not attending voluntary exercises, Jackson heard league observers say he shouldn’t apply in coaching camp till he will get a long-term deal.

However Jackson stated he isn’t taking the “hold-in” method — report back to camp however not take part in apply like different NFL gamers with contract points — as a result of he desires to win, and he doesn’t need to go away his teammates “on the market hanging.”

“Lamar isn’t involved concerning the contract, no person needs to be involved concerning the contract,” Ravens vast receiver Rashod Bateman stated. “That is lower than us; we will let whoever handles that deal with it. We’re simply going to play soccer. That is what we’re known as right here to do, and that is what we will give attention to.”

Teammates say Jackson doesn’t speak concerning the negotiations. When Humphrey has introduced up a long-term deal, Jackson has informed him, “It’ll get accomplished when it will get accomplished.”

“For a man that’s negotiating, he hasn’t stated a phrase, and his worth simply retains going up. It is wonderful,” Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler stated. “For anybody who provides him crap, he is in command of his personal future proper now, and I believe that is the way in which he likes it. The way in which he performs, the way in which he prepares, the person who he’s, and I believe in the long term he is simply going to maintain profitable.”

When requested how Jackson will deal with all of the noise going into the season, coaches and teammates level to 2019. After listening to all of the questions earlier than the season about whether or not he may throw the ball, Jackson threw 5 landing passes within the season opener after which delivered the road: “Not dangerous for a operating again.” Jackson went on to grow to be the second unanimous NFL MVP choice in historical past.

“I do know he’s motivated by the critics,” Ravens defensive finish Calais Campbell stated. “… On the finish of the day, he’s an outstanding quarterback. Let the haters speak. We’ll allow them to chirp, however we simply win soccer video games.”