Lamar Jackson Says Week 1 Is Deadline for Contract Extension Talks

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has set a Week 1 deadline to finish discussions around a contract extension, he told reporters on Saturday.

When asked if there was an update on where contract negotiations stood, Jackson told reporters there was no update but that the deadline for where talks would stop was “coming up”, before later telling reporters that he wants it done by Week 1.

Jackson is in the fifth and final season of his rookie deal, and is slated to become a free agent at season’s end if an agreement on a contract extension is not reached. 

The expectation league-wide has been that a new deal between Jackson and the Ravens would be completed before the start of the season, but time is ticking on both sides.

Jackson has been very productive during his first four seasons in Baltimore. He has thrown for 9,967 yards and 84 touchdowns to 31 interceptions in his career, completing 64.1% of his passes in the process. Jackson has also rushed for 3,673 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground, proving to be a true dual threat at the quarterback position.

Jackson’s best season came in 2019 when he threw for 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns en route to winning league MVP.