The 2021 season included several firsts for quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The young signal-caller, in his fourth season in the NFL, started to earn public respect — albeit short-lived — for his ability as a passer. Sure, by season’s end his numbers were far from what they were during his MVP campaign in 2019, but many believed the eye test showed the electric athlete was taking a step as a passer.
But there were other firsts, too. For the first time in his career, Jackson got injured. The ankle injury, which caused him to miss the final four games of the season, was proof for Jackson’s detractors that a running quarterback isn’t sustainable in the NFL. Then, to add insult to injury, the Ravens missed the postseason for the first time in his career — due in large part to Jackson’s injury. They lost all four of the games Jackson missed down the stretch.
The disappointment and bad luck of last season make the 2022 campaign a pivotal one for Jackson — and in more ways than one. On top of trying to maintain his reputation as an elite quarterback, Jackson is also likely to enter the upcoming season with the cloud of not being signed long term hanging over him.
“Lamar has said he’s focused on the season. He’s under contract, and he’s going to have the best season he can have,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters Monday. “He’s hopeful to get a new contract, and we’re hopeful to get him a new contract. All the rest of it is business.”
Jackson’s future with the Ravens has been one of the most debated topics of the NFL offseason. As Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson all signed massive deals — each averaging north of $46 million per year — Jackson has, essentially, sat back and waited.
Multiple reports show that Jackson, who doesn’t have an agent and is representing himself alongside his mother, is seeking a fully guaranteed contract. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported that the 25-year-old superstar turned down a deal worth more than the $230.5 million that Murray received. Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported Monday that Baltimore has offered a new contract with more guaranteed money to Jackson, but that owner Steve Bisciotti will not approve a Watson-esque fully guaranteed deal.
Jackson, whose 37 wins are the most in NFL history for a quarterback before turning age 25, hasn’t been completely silent on the issue. He has told reporters he hopes to have the contract done by Week 1 and that he wouldn’t negotiate during the season. But, compared to his contemporaries, he’s been quite quiet.
“I don’t like people in my business at all. It’s my business,” Jackson, who has maintained that he wants to remain in Baltimore his whole career, said in August. “If I wanted it out there, I’d put it out there myself.”
“It’s been football, football, football for players and coaches,” Harbaugh added Monday. “My interactions with Lamar have been all football. He’s been focused and locked in on that, 100 percent, from a football standpoint.”
Jackson’s health wasn’t the only reason the Ravens missed the playoffs last season, though. Despite a rash of season-ending injuries in the preseason to cornerback Marcus Peters and running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, the Ravens still started 8-3 on the back of Jackson. But more injuries piled on, including corner Marlon Humphrey, outside linebacker Tyus Bowser and safety DeShon Elliott. It was too much to overcome, and the Ravens lost six straight games to end the season below .500 for the first time since 2015.
Doing everything possible to prevent injuries was a focus for the Ravens this preseason, leading Harbaugh to “reorganize” training camp. While the team is much healthier entering this season than last, there are still questions.
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who has played just two games since signing a $98.75 million deal in October 2020, practiced Monday for the first time this preseason. Bowser and Edwards, meanwhile, are both out for at least the first four weeks of the season. And the return of Dobbins, Peters and Stanley for Week 1 are still in question. Harbaugh said all three players could suit up Sunday “if we see what we need to see” during practice.
While Jackson’s contract negotiations are up in the air, the bigger concern for the Ravens’ offense is whether the wide receiver corps can step up. Without Marquise “Hollywood” Brown who was traded during the NFL draft, the new No. 1 wide receiver is Rashod Bateman. The second-year receiver caught 46 passes for 515 yards in 12 games as a rookie.
The Ravens’ defense must also perform better than it did in 2021 if Baltimore wants to return to being a top contender in the AFC. The unit finished 25th in total defense last season.
To boost the defense, the Ravens surprisingly fired defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale after last season and hired University of Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. General manager Eric DeCosta also added safeties Marcus Williams via a five-year, $70 million contract and Kyle Hamilton in the first round of the draft.
The Ravens open their season Sunday at the New York Jets.
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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