Ravens' Lamar Jackson sets deadline for contract extension
Jackson is set to be free agent after this season
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A former NFL MVP won't be trying to work out a deal during the season, so he claims.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson told reporters on Wednesday that the deadline for he and the team to work out an extension is Friday.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball during warm-up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Dec. 12, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Jackson won an MVP unanimously in his first full season back in 2019, but has not been able to quite get back to that form. He led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns that season while also rushing for 1,206 yards, the most ever by a quarterback.
While remaining the best rushing quarterback in the league, he's taken a step back in the passing game. He's thrown for just 42 touchdowns in his last 27 regular season games. He also set a career-high with 13 interceptions last season, even though he only played in 12 games.
Despite regressing, though, it's clear the Ravens go as he goes. He is 37-12 as their starter, and led the Ravens to three-straight playoff appearances from 2018-2020.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson looks to throw a pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
RAVENS QUARTERBACK LAMAR JACKSON HINTS AT INTEREST IN ANOTHER TEAM DURING EXTENSION TALKS
The Ravens lost the final four games of last season while Jackson was out with an ankle injury, knocking them out of postseason contention with their 8-9 record.
He is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Ravens opted into his fifth-year option before to start of the 2021 season, which guaranteed him over $23 million this season. Jackson was the final pick of the first round back in 2018.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens passes during a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on Nov. 28, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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NFL Network reported earlier Wednesday that a deal is "not imminent," so it sure seems like there's a lot of work to be done in little time.