The Cincinnati Bengals' AFC Division Rivals are trying to figure out their contract terms. Lamar Jackson wants to stay with the Baltimore Ravens for a long time, even though he is still trying to get a new contract before the next season starts.

The quarterback made it clear that he does not want to play anywhere else. Sarah Ellison reported his answer when asked about his future with the team.

“Absolutely. I love the Ravens,” Jackson said.

This was the first time Jackson spoke to the public since the Ravens lost their final game of the last season to Pittsburgh.

He told everyone that he wants to keep his contract talks private, but he made sure to remind everyone how much he loves the city and the team that picked him back in 2018. 

“I love this organization. I love this city. This is the team that drafted me. [They] got a lot of love for me, I believe. I got a lot of love for this city, and this team, as well,” he said.

The Ravens are eager to sign Jackson to a longer contract because he only has two years left on his current deal. If they do not change his contract soon, he will cost the team over $84 million next year. 

That is the second-highest cost for any player in the league, and it would leave the Ravens with almost no money to sign other good players. This led to the Ravens fans being worried about Jackson's future back in March. 

The team's owner, Steve Bisciotti, told Jackson that they needed to finish a new deal quickly before other free agents started signing. However, the details of the negotiations are being kept under wraps.

Lamar Jackson On Keeping Conversations Private

Four years ago, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson asked general manager Eric DeCosta for a fully guaranteed contract. Then, he signed a five-year, $260 million deal in April 2023, with $185 million guaranteed.

Recently, the Ravens restructured Jackson’s contract to lower his cap cost for 2026 by $40 million. 

However, this raises his cost to $85 million for 2027. Both sides are talking about a contract extension, but Jackson is keeping those discussions private. Additionally, when asked if he would still be asking for a guaranteed contract. He brushed the topic off.

“This is 2026. We [are] going to leave that conversation in 2022. We’re going to leave it in 2022,” he said.

The two-time MVP is coming off a frustrating, injury-filled season. He missed practices with knee, ankle, toe, and back pain, which started after a Week 3 injury against Detroit. 

Jackson missed four games, and the Ravens missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Because of this disappointing year, the Ravens fired head coach John Harbaugh and hired Jesse Minter.

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Written by

Aaindri Thakuri

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore