Lamar Jackson’s future with the Baltimore Ravens has never been more uncertain, much to the annoyance of his teammates.
During the team’s end-of-season report, the day after a heartbreaking 24-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, there was of course talk of the Ravens’ No. 1 quarterback. The Maryland team does not yet know if it wants to exchange its pivot of confidence, or offer him one of the most staggering pacts on the circuit.
For defensive end Calais Campbell, there is no doubt that the Ravens should break the bank to keep Jackson’s services.
“You can’t let a guy like him go,” he told ESPN. There will always be another player with great potential who could become excellent one day. But football is a business where guarantees are important, and you already know who Lamar Jackson is.
“It’s in the best interest of the Ravens organization to offer him a long-term contract to become the face of the team.”
The league’s MVP in 2019, Jackson has been plagued by injuries this season. He was sidelined for the last six games of the campaign with a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee.
Prior to that, he had 2,242 yards and 17 touchdowns through the air, suffering just seven interceptions. Thanks to his great mobility, he also scored three majors with his legs.
According to tackle Ronnie Stanley, money is not the quarterback’s priority: he wants to win above all else.
“In my head, I am convinced that he will be here [la saison prochaine], he estimated. He is a competitor and he wants to win. The Ravens are his team. Salary is not the most important thing to him. He wants to win, contrary to popular belief.”