Report expands on relationships between Lamar Jackson, Ravens' new coaches amid contract saga

A June report shared that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson seemed to be "in sync" with first-year Ravens head coach Jesse Minter and first-year offensive coordinator Declan Doyle during springtime workouts. 

During Wednesday's edition of the ESPN "Get Up" program, NFL reporter Kimberley A. Martin suggested that Jackson said plenty about his feelings toward Minter and Doyle with where the signal-caller was throughout the Ravens' offseason program.

Lamar Jackson worked with the Ravens' new coaching staff "from the beginning" of the offseason program

"The thing that stood out to me was that this was the most Lamar Jackson has ever attended in terms of the offseason program," Martin explained. "So every offseason, people are always talking about, 'Where's Lamar? He's not there. Does this mean he's bought in?' Well, they have a first-year head coach, a new head coach. And where was the quarterback? Right there from the beginning."

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Eric DeCosta are presumably hoping Jackson is fond of the team's new coaching staff amid uncertainty related to the quarterback's long-term future. During the "Get Up" segment, former NFL player, executive and current analyst Louis Riddick noted that the salary-cap number attached to Jackson's existing contract is on track to become "the second biggest in the NFL" next offseason. Additionally, that agreement prevents Baltimore from retaining Jackson's rights for 2028 via the franchise tag or trading him without his consent. 

Some think Jackson may essentially bet on himself and wait until 2027 to ink a lucrative extension. Thus, how he and Minter get along over the next six months or so could help determine whether or not Jackson is still Baltimore's QB1 next summer. 

Lamar Jackson is currently "bought in" for the start of the Jesse Minter era

"Jesse Minter talks about relationships, communication," Martin continued. "He's very big on those things. And from what I'm told, Lamar's presence is proof that he is bought in. Now, the question of whether there will be bumps in the road, you have a first-time head coach. So, you'd have to expect there to be bumps in the road. There is an acclimation process for the coach and also their MVP quarterback."

Of course, such potential "bumps in the road" shouldn't impact Jackson's future with the Ravens if he signs an extension this summer. If he doesn't do so before training camps open later in July, however, he once again will find himself facing questions about whether or not he truly wants to stay with Baltimore beyond the upcoming season.