Lamar Jackson's focus on season, not contract extension

There doesn't appear to be any doubt the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson will agree on a contract extension. For the time being, however, said extension will have to wait.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday that contract talks between the Ravens and their star quarterback have slowed because Jackson wants to focus on the season. Sources close to the matter say contract discussions seized at the start of training camp and that Jackson has been "immersed in his quarterbacking job, a primary reason that he and the Ravens haven't yet agreed to an extension."

Jackson is scheduled to make $1.77 million in base salary this season -- a figure that balloons to $23.1 million in 2022 when he enters the fifth-year option under his current contract.

Not surprisingly, the 2019 MVP is set to have another huge season for the Ravens. Last season, the 24-year-old gunslinger recorded 2,757 passing yards with 26 passing touchdowns and 1,005 yards on the ground with seven rushing touchdowns. 

Baltimore is starting off their 2021 campaign with injuries to running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins and wide receiver Rashod Bateman, so pressure on the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner to carry the offense is at an all-time high.

Jackson expected to get off to a big start right out of the gate, too, with the Ravens visiting the Raiders in Las Vegas for the first Monday Night Football game of the season. Even with Baltimore dealing with a ton of injuries, Vegas is going to have its hands full containing Jackson.