The Baltimore Ravens have made it clear they are committed to resigning Lamar Jackson to a long-term deal with their stance not changing despite the recent weeks of confusion.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh had spoken like they had expected Jackson back in December after his knee strain, but he remains sidelined and has stated that he does not feel comfortable on his knee.
Almost a month ago now, Harbaugh declared Jackson as 'week-to-week', with the potential of him playing three weeks ago and the head coach has remained optimistic that he will play this season. However, he has now been declared out of this weekends playoff matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Harbaugh would go on to state that he is "going to leave all that stuff alone and coach our guys", in what seemed to be a shot at Jackson for not practicing or preparing to play.
Jackson has now missed 10 games in the last two seasons, with injury concerns potentially playing a role in how much the Ravens will commit to him with their offer this off-season. Jackson turned down multiple contracts last year, amid rumours that he could be unsettled in Baltimore.
But NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has reported that the team does indeed want Jackson to stick around, and hope to entice him with a long-term contract.
He added that Jackson will seek as much guaranteed money as possible, similarly to what the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson (five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed). Rapoport added that the Ravens unwillingness to match that offer was a reason why Jackson did not sign.
Should Jackson not agree an extension, the Ravens will have the opportunity to franchise tag the quarterback, which would keep him on the roster for one more season.
Rapoport said: "Every expectation is that Baltimore will tag him for 2023 if they cannot work out a long-term extension, sources say, though the particular tag is not yet known. Most QBs receive the exclusive tag, which does not allow any other team to have a shot at the player, while other players receive the non-exclusive tag -- meaning there is compensation in the form of two first-round picks if another team pries him away with a long-term deal.
"Essentially, sources say, despite the disappointment with Jackson not being able to play in the first round of the playoffs, the Ravens are still all-in."
The 2019 MVP would be the one of the most sought-after free agents to hit the open market in NFL history, should he and the Ravens not agree a deal.
