Lamar Jackson clears air on reported 'demand'

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports

Lamar Jackson clears air on earlier reported 'demand'

By Cory Kefauver | Last updated 5/4/23

At a joint news conference with Baltimore Ravens management on Thursday, QB Lamar Jackson aimed to clear the air about a report that he had demanded the team add receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Odell Beckham Jr. earlier in the spring.

Jackson — who signed a five-year, $260 million deal with Baltimore at the end of April — said that it was a request, rather than a demand.

"No, it was a question [from me] [like, 'Can we?' Basically, 'Can we get Odell [Beckham Jr.] and 'D. Hop' [DeAndre Hopkins]?' It was a question; it wasn't like, 'Oh, I want them or nothing else.' No. That's not how you conduct business," Jackson said.

In March, the Ravens signed OBJ to a one-year, $15 million contract to bolster a receiving corps that has struggled since Jackson was drafted in 2018. Hopkins, meanwhile, remains with the Arizona Cardinals, at least for the time being.

Baltimore made a sound decision by signing OBJ, whether it was at Jackson's request or not. Per ESPN Stats and Info, the Ravens have drafted the most wideouts of any NFL team since 2018 while somehow also ranking last in receptions and receiving yards over that span.

From @ESPNStatsInfo:
Ravens have drafted 8 wide receivers since 2018 (which was when they selected Lamar Jackson), which is tied with the Broncos for most in the NFL.

Despite that investment, Ravens wide receivers rank last in the NFL in receptions and yards during that span. pic.twitter.com/Lp9y4Svw0q
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) March 3, 2023

Jackson declined to comment on his late March trade request, opting to talk about his future as a Raven instead. He said that while other teams reached out about contract talks, Baltimore is where he wants to be.

"I really want to finish my career here, I want to win a Super Bowl here," Jackson said.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said the team put the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson to give him an opportunity to figure out his value. DeCosta said that he thought the exclusive tag was too "binding."

The Ravens are now set to compete in a stacked AFC after securing their franchise QB. By giving Jackson new receivers in OBJ and first-round pick Zay Flowers, they are setting the expectation of a Super Bowl victory.

Jackson said he always believed that a deal would get done, adding he never wavered in his love for Baltimore and its fans.

"They love me," he said. "I love being here. I love my teammates. I love the fan base."

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