Ravens HC Jesse Minter makes feelings on Lamar Jackson clear amid trade rumors

Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson became the subject of some interesting trade rumors before the club parted ways with longtime head coach John Harbaugh and then replaced Harbaugh by hiring Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

For a one-on-one interview with Ryan Mink of the Ravens' website that went public shortly before the Ravens introduced Minter to the media, Baltimore's new head man indicated that Jackson isn't going anywhere. 

Jesse Minter anticipates building "a great relationship" with Lamar Jackson

"I've had some great talks with Lamar," Minter revealed. "Really look forward to continuing to build a great relationship with him." 

While multiple reports have linked Jackson with the Las Vegas Raiders, he hasn't publicly requested a trade following the dismissal of Harbaugh. Minter sounds ready to work with the two-time regular-season Most Valuable Player Award winner, who turned just 29 years old earlier in January. 

"He is the best player in the National Football League," Minter continued while speaking about Jackson. "It's been proven. He's won the awards that show that. It's our job to continue to help him grow and help him build. To have that guy behind center, you know you have a chance to win every time you take the field. I just can't wait to go to work with him, create a partnership with him, and build a team around him that help us achieve our ultimate goal."

As Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper and others have mentioned, the Ravens or any other team will likely have to sign Jackson to a contract extension this offseason to lower the salary-cap hit attached to his deal for the 2026 campaign. Judging by what Minter had to say, Jackson putting pen to paper on an extension with the Ravens may be an inevitability. 

Jesse Minter ready to build Ravens roster around Lamar Jackson

"You want to build an offense that allows him to be Lamar but also at the same time utilizes all the weapons that the offense has," Minter added about Jackson. 

Minter also insisted that he wants the Ravens "to build the best defense in the National Football League to put around Lamar." He also spoke about Jackson during Thursday's media event: