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HC John Harbaugh defends Lamar Jackson amid column

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh talks with quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. David Richard-Imagn Images

HC John Harbaugh defends Lamar Jackson after column calls out Ravens QB

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Dec 25, 2025 8:05 AM ET

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh defended Lamar Jackson on Wednesday after a column blasted the quarterback.

In a piece published Tuesday, Mike Preston of The Baltimore Sun claimed Harbaugh had grown "tired of Jackson." Preston also called Jackson an "overgrown kid in an adult's body," reported the 28-year-old fell asleep in a team meeting and suggested the Ravens should consider trading him to the Miami Dolphins or Las Vegas Raiders.

Harbaugh gives no credence to the column and criticized it for using anonymous sources.

John Harbaugh defends Lamar Jackson

"I don't know where it's coming from," Harbaugh told the media. "I've never seen that ever. That's not something that I've ever witnessed, and I'm in every meeting.

"And to speculate on how I feel about it, I'll tell you how I feel. I'm pretty transparent. All the guys in the building will tell you if I have something they wanna talk to me about, I'm right up front. That would be the wrong way to say that. That's not true."

In responding to a column in The Baltimore Sun, John Harbaugh said his relationship with Lamar Jackson is “A-plus.” pic.twitter.com/11297c16tv
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 24, 2025

Harbaugh then said he and Jackson had "a great conversation" on Wednesday morning as the QB works to return from a back injury suffered in a 28-24 Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots. If he can't play Saturday against the Green Bay Packers, backup QB Tyler Huntley is slated to start.

"Our relationship is A-plus," Harbaugh said. "I love him. Always have, always will. I know he's fighting like crazy to get back."

What should fans make of John Harbaugh's comments?

Preston's not the only media member to indicate that Jackson and the Ravens are at a critical juncture.

In a story published Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano noted to keep an eye on Jackson and the Ravens this offseason.

"I'm still not sure how likely it is that there's a change here, but the Ravens have to do something with Jackson's contract or move on," wrote Graziano.

Jackson's cap hit skyrockets to $74.5M in 2026. To lower that number, the Ravens would either have to extend the QB or trade him. The deal includes a no-trade clause, which he must waive to go elsewhere.

The Ravens moving on from two-time league MVP Jackson seems preposterous. But considering his 3-5 record in the playoffs and questions about his maturity, that scenario seems more possible.

The Ravens (7-8), however, could still make the postseason if they win out and the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) lose out. With that in mind, Harbaugh doesn't want rumors about Jackson to distract his team, even if some may be legitimate.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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