Lamar Jackson sent a clear message to the Baltimore Ravens regarding his contract situation after the superstar quarterback led his team to a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night.
Following an uninspiring last few weeks, the Ravens offence got back to its best with Jackson in the starring role as he defeated Tom Brady and the Buccaneers 27-22 on Thursday night football. The win leaves Baltimore at 5-3 while they lead the AFC North.
Jackson put in a sensational second half performance to finish with 238 yards and two touchdowns on a 71% completion rate through the air while he also rushed for 43 yards during the victory. The quarterback led the Ravens to four scoring drives in the second half as they battled back from 10-3 down at half time.
The 25-year-old is one of the NFL’s most exciting players and is currently betting on himself amid contract turmoil. Following the statement win against Brady and the Bucs with the world watching on prime time, Jackson took the opportunity to fire a very public message to the Ravens front office.
As he was running off the field, the 2019 NFL MVP picked up a sign a fan dropped that read ‘Pay 'Em Now’. The statement was bracketed by Jackson's No. 8 and wide receiver Rashod Bateman's No. 7.
The Ravens star picked the sign up and held it towards the crowd. Once the fan who dropped it was identified, Jackson signed it and returned it, then gave the fan a leaping high-five.
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Jackson is currently playing on his fifth-year option from his rookie deal after he was selected by the Ravens with the final pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. ESPN reported that the quarterback turned down a five-year extension worth over $250million (£216m) with $133m (£115m) guaranteed at signing as he believed his performances in 2022 would lead to a better deal with Baltimore or elsewhere.
The two-time Pro Bowler has thrown for 15 touchdowns with six interceptions this season for the Ravens, who have managed to win three of their last four to take charge of their division. He has passed for 1,397 yards - which places the former MVP 20th in the NFL - but Jackson remarkably lies fourth in terms of league rushing yards.
The Ravens now have a slight break before their next match, as they face the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football in Week 9, with the match going down at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 7. As for the Buccaneers, they have dropped to 3-5 as Brady finds himself two games under .500 for the first time in his remarkable NFL career.
