Lamar Jackson has no designs on playing for any other team but the Ravens. BILL INGRAM / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lamar Jackson expects to be with Ravens for entire career

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/16/22

One of the more curious stories of the NFL offseason has involved Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is in the final year of his rookie contract but reportedly hasn't been all that eager to engage in serious extension negotiations with his employer throughout the spring.

Jackson skipped the club's voluntary organized team activities but then reported for mandatory minicamp and took part in practice sessions this week. As had been scheduled, the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player spoke with reporters on Thursday and indicated his relationship with the Ravens is more great than good ahead of the summer months.

Per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk and Ari Meirov of Pro Football Focus, Jackson claimed he wants to spend his entire career with the Ravens and that he's "recently" discussed his contract with team officials, presumably including general manager Eric DeCosta.

#Ravens QB Lamar Jackson told reporters he expects to be with Baltimore for his entire career. He’s recently talked with the team about his contract as he enters the fifth and final year of his rookie deal.

Silencing all the speculation.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 16, 2022

Some had speculated Jackson wants to equal or even better the fully guaranteed $230 million salary that fellow signal-caller Deshaun Watson received after he joined the Cleveland Browns via a blockbuster trade in March. Jackson says that's not the case.

"I'm a man of my own. I don't worry what those guys get," Jackson remarked, according to Meirov.

Jackson is serving as his own agent for negotiations, and it's been suggested that his supposed unwillingness to put pen to paper on an agreement following the 2021 season showed he may not be all-in on remaining with the club past the upcoming campaign.

Regardless of his intentions, the Ravens could, and likely would, use the franchise tag to retain the 25-year-old's rights through at least the 2023 season if the two sides don't sign an extension beforehand. Either way, Jackson probably won't play for any team other than Baltimore anytime soon.

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