Last week, star quarterback Lamar Jackson agreed to a massive five-year, $260 million contract with the Ravens. The deal made him the highest-paid player in NFL history.
Reaching an agreement on contract terms has been the main focus of the Ravens and Jackson over the past two years.
Frustrations spilled over on both sides throughout the lengthy process, and Jackson went public with a trade request in March.
That same month, the Ravens decided to place the non-exclusive franchise tag on the MVP quarterback.
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lamar jackson (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
In the end, the saga had a happy ending.
«They say the best things come to those who wait. We waited a while and here we are,» Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said during Thursday’s news conference.
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Jackson admitted that other NFL teams reached out to him after the Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag on him, but he wasn’t interested in leaving Baltimore.
«To be honest with you, I didn’t really care about other teams, really,» Jackson said Thursday.
“I really wanted to do something here. I wanted to be here. I was like, ‘Man, okay, other teams are great, but I want to be a Raven. … I really wanted to do this before anything else, before my time and branch out somewhere else. I’m looking forward to finishing my career here and winning a Super Bowl here.»
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass in the first half of a game against the Denver Broncos on December 4, 2022 in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The 26-year-old also mentioned that he appreciated fans reaching out to him through social media during the negotiation process.
«It means a lot to me,» Jackson said. «I can’t even explain it, how much I love the fanbase…I was always getting messages from them, people crying, sad in my DMs. I was like, ‘Man, they made me sad.'»
«I want to tell you that we are making progress, but I don’t because I don’t want to spoil what’s going on… I love the community so much. I tell everyone that it’s like my third home because Florida, Louisville, then here But I’ve been here for five years, so this is my home.
Jackson has a new lofty goal for his 2023 campaign, saying he wants to throw for a yardage record.
«I think I said to someone, like, ‘Man, I want to throw like 6,000 yards with the weapons we have,'» Jackson said. «And I’m not an individual award guy or a stat watcher. I just want to do that because no one has ever done it, and I feel like we have the weapons to do it.»
Legendary quarterback Peyton Manning set the single-season passing record in 2013 when he threw for 5,477 yards.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball during the first half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 27, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Baltimore upgraded its wide receiver room this offseason with the additions of Odell Beckham Jr. and wide receiver Zay Flowers and first-round draft pick Rashod Bateman. One of Jackson’s favorite targets, tight end Mark Andrews, also returns.
Former Georgia Bulldogs offensive coordinator Todd Monken will take over play-calling duties for the Ravens in 2023.
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Jackson would not elaborate on his contract negotiations with the Ravens, but noted that Jalen Hurts’ contract did not affect his deal. Hurts’ $255 million, five-year contract was announced 10 days before Jackson’s deal.