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Once again, Lamar Jackson is sidelined with an injury, and the Baltimore Ravens' season appears to be slipping away. With Jackson potentially out for the year due to a thumb injury, speculation about his future with the team has resurfaced. ESPN suggested that his last play as a Raven might have been him leaving the field in pain, while The Baltimore Banner questioned whether that marked the end of the Jackson era in Baltimore. It seems the same questions are being asked yet again.
The reasons for these questions are understandable. After failing to sign Jackson to an extension in the offseason, he has only one year left on his contract, with a cap hit exceeding $84 million in 2027. Including this season, he will have missed at least four games in four of the last six years, and the Ravens are facing the possibility of missing the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Additionally, Jackson will turn 30 in January. Would the Ravens commit to a large extension for an aging, injury-prone quarterback who relies heavily on his mobility? And if they cannot reach an extension, can they afford to keep him at that cap number? The answer to the first question should be a resounding yes. If it were up to the Ravens, they should absolutely extend their two-time MVP, three-time first-team All-Pro, and the NFL's second all-time leader in career passer rating. It should not even be a debate.
To be clear, this is not to imply that the Ravens do not want Jackson to stay. The organization's true feelings are unknown. However, his injuries have highlighted their failure to secure an extension before the season and what that means for the future. This brings us to the second question: no, they probably cannot afford to keep Jackson at that number and field a competitive team. But if they reach a point where that becomes necessary, Jackson likely did not want to stay anyway. Because the Ravens should simply give him what he wants in negotiations. That is the only way it can go. If Jackson ever plays for another team, it should be because he chose to leave, not because the Ravens did not do everything in their power to keep him. Even if that means paying a premium, that is the leverage Jackson has earned through his play and through a unique contract situation he was willing to drag out to the final, backbreaking year. Potentially to pressure Baltimore to improve the team around him, such as the offensive line that remains abysmal. If he leaves, it will be because they failed to do that, and it will show when he is gone, because there is no way the Ravens get immediately better without Jackson.
That is why they need to do everything in their power to reach a deal. When Jackson is on the field, he is still a difference maker. The flip side of the Ravens' missed playoffs in his injury-riddled years is that they make the playoffs every year he is healthy. The Ravens were 3-1 through his first four starts this season and are 0-3 since he has been out. And his injuries are not usually a result of his running. Both this year occurred behind the line of scrimmage, including the latest when he hit his hand during a pass attempt. For any other elite quarterback, there would be no question about whether their team would consider letting him walk. It should not be a question with the Ravens either, no matter how this season ends. If Lamar Jackson wants to continue being a Raven, the Ravens have to make sure he is. It would be an organizational failure to push out one of the league's best players.
Key Analysis
Jackson's value to the Ravens is undeniable. His presence alone elevates the team to playoff contention, and his absence has clearly demonstrated his impact. The Ravens must prioritize securing his future, even if it means navigating a challenging salary cap situation. Letting him leave would not only be a step backward competitively but also a failure to capitalize on a generational talent.
Originally reported by yahoo.