Ravens insider gives massive update on Lamar Jackson contract situation

A Monday report suggested that Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman could eventually view Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson as a replacement for Eagles starting quarterback Jalen Hurts if the Ravens don't sign Jackson to a contract extension before next offseason gets underway. 

During a recent appearance on "Glenn Clark Radio," Ravens reporter Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic hinted that Roseman won't be able to acquire Jackson anytime soon. 

Lamar Jackson is truly happy with Ravens?

"I don't sense the frustration that I've sensed with this in the past," Zrebiec said about how Jackson views the Ravens, per Kevin Eck of the team's website. "I sense Lamar has communicated exactly what his expectations are, or when he wants these talks to happen, where he is. And the Ravens are good with it and understand it. Lamar's been in the building all offseason. People have raved about his engagement level and all that, and I feel like they're in a good place and they're communicating well. And that's not always been the case. That's where I draw optimism that this deal will get done. If he was really angry about his contract situation, would he be in the building basically the whole offseason? I don't think so."

Back in late May, Jackson insisted he "absolutely" wants to stay with the Ravens on a long-term basis and has "love" for the franchise that drafted him in 2018. That said, he is only under contract through the 2027 campaign via a deal that prevents the Ravens from trading him without his consent or retaining his rights via the franchise tag.

Ravens "comfortable" with current Lamar Jackson situation 

"I think the Ravens are more than ready," Zrebiec added about the team wanting to lock Jackson down. "I think the ball's in Lamar's court. I don't get the sense, at least I didn't recently, that there's even been extensive talks. And I think that's not because they're not on the same page or that Lamar was turned off by an offer. I don't know what it is, but I think there's something kind of prompting Lamar to wait."

It seems unlikely as of the middle of June that a different quarterback will soon beat what Patrick Mahomes received via the Kansas City Chiefs' recent reworking of his contract that gave him a new average salary of $64M. Additionally, one could think that Jackson's worrisome injury history may lead him to want to secure financial guarantees beyond 2027 before he faces a live defense in a meaningful game this September. 

"Maybe [Jackson] wants to experience life under [first-year head coach] Jesse Minter and [first-year offensive coordinator] Declan Doyle for a while," Zrebiec continued. "I don't know if it's something else going on off the field. I don't know if he's waiting for another quarterback to get a deal. I don't even know who that quarterback would be at this point. But I get the sense they're confident and comfortable, and they're willing to go at Lamar's pace here."