Ravens Coach John Harbaugh Discloses ‘Plan’ For QB Lamar Jackson
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OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens coach John Harbaugh doesn’t even want to consider playing next season without Lamar Jackson.
Despite the murky future of the franchise quarterback in Baltimore, Harbaugh and GM Eric DeCosta have put on a brave front and are outwardly confident a deal will get done.
For now, Harbaugh is planning for Jackson to be under center in 2023 and working with new offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
“Our plans are for Lamar,” Harbaugh said at the NFL Combine. "One of the things we did – and I think some of it was written about – when we went through a process with the offensive coordinator position. We interviewed 14 candidates; we had 21 different interviews. They were extensive interviews on Zoom and in-person, and of course, that comes up, because we’re talking about how we’re going to build an offense, and all those interviews were based on Lamar being the quarterback.
"‘If Lamar’s the quarterback, how are we going to build the offense?’ So, that’s the direction that we’re planning for.”
Despite the optimism, Jackson and the Ravens don’t appear to be any closer on a new deal.
That main hangup appears to be guaranteed money.
Jackson reportedly wants a deal similar to Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who landed a five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns, including $230 million in guaranteed money
The Ravens are not willing to offer all of that guaranteed money because it could cripple the franchise financially. DeCosta reportedly offered Jackson a five-year, $250 million contract in September that included $133 million guaranteed but the quarterback declined.
As a result, the Ravens will likely place a franchise tag on Jackson as they continue to negotiate.
“That’s not something that I’m going to get too involved in, in terms of what we do or how we do it, but I will say this about Lamar Jackson: There’s no bigger, better competitor in football than Lamar Jackson,” DeCosta said. “Lamar is a competitor, and he’s going to want to be a part of the best offense in football, and that’s what I know about him. I’m just looking forward to getting to work.”
Jackson, 26, is one of the most dynamic players in the league and unanimously won NFL MVP in 2019. He finished 2022 with 2,242 passing yards, 764 rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns, but he missed five games because of a left knee injury.
The Ravens hope he keeps those skills in Baltimore.
“He’s going to be out there, he’s going to be competing, he’s going to be giving everything he’s got in every situation,” Harbaugh said.
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