The pending contract extension with superstar Lamar Jackson dominated the off- and preseason of the Baltimore Ravens. However, the quarterback did not let himself be distracted by the discussions and is playing the best season of his career so far even without a new contract. The 2019 MVP looks to continue his impressive start to the season in the top game against the Buffalo Bills.

Baltimore/Munich – “Right now we’re still talking about it, the week is not over yet,” Lamar Jackson defiantly announced to reporters in attendance.

“As of kickoff, though, I won’t be talking about a contract. “

Lamar Jackson: A landmark Friday in September

These statements on September 7 shook the Baltimore Ravens’ so-so world, if not the entire state of Maryland. For months, the ongoing contract negotiations between Jackson and general manager Eric DeCosta lay over the franchise like a looming thunderstorm.

Jackson himself named September 9 as the deadline for a new contract, after which he wanted to concentrate on the coming season – as previously announced in a big way – and then just fulfil his rookie contract (around 23 million dollars in salary), which expires in the spring of 2022.

When the ominous Friday came and went without a renewed working paper, you could sense the unease in the Ravens fan camp. Would their franchise quarterback now sit out the season? Would the failed negotiations negatively affect his play?

Lamar Jackson: Impressive game in New England

Good three weeks later, those worries have been completely blown away. Not because DeCosta settled on a superstar, but because Jackson had impressively won the bet against himself.

Not only had the quarterback made good on his deadline threat, but he had arguably ruled out a very lucrative offer: According to “ESPN” information, the Ravens had offered their top player a six-year contract worth 250 million US dollars (133 of it guaranteed) – but the 25-year-old probably declined with thanks.

“I honestly don’t know what to say to the people who are still having their doubts out there. I don’t think we can help them right now,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh joked after his team’s recent win over the New England Patriots.

Lamar Jackson also showed his class impressively in the second win of the season: 218 passing yards, 107 rushing yards and a total of five touchdowns paved the way to a 37-26 victory.

Lamar Jackson against the blitz vs the Patriots:

11/12
127 YDS
4 TDs
0 INTs

He was blitzed on 38% of his drop backs. This season, he is 1st in EPA against the blitz. pic.twitter.com/dh4g3PakGt

– Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) September 26, 2022

This marks the first time in NFL history that a quarterback has managed to score three or more touchdowns and at least 100 rushing yards in two consecutive games.

Had he wanted to, the 25-year-old playmaker could have thrown his arms in the air after the win over New England and asked the crowd, “What more do you want me to do? “

Lamar Jackson: Eternal battle against critics and doubters

This question has not only been on the mind of the Ravens’ number eight since the failed contract negotiations, but it has been a common thread throughout his career.

In college with the Louisville Cardinals, the youngster impressed as a dual-threat quarterback, especially in the running game Jackson is almost unstoppable. After the 2016 season, he received the Heisman Trophy as the best player, and in 2018 he is set to make the jump to the NFL.

Quite a few experts do not see Jackson as a typical passer, his style of play cannot be transferred to the NFL, he should rather try out at another position, they say. The then 21-year-old slid all the way to 32 before the Baltimore Ravens snapped.

“They’re going to get a Super Bowl from me,” Jackson promises on stage that night.

“I’m a Raven. It’s on.”

Lamar Jackson was ready to give everything to Baltimore after sliding in the first round of the 2018 Draft @brgridiron

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/3oWe8d1rUm

– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 28, 2022

Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson as savior?

In his rookie season, he first ousted former Super Bowl hero Joe Flacco and led the Ravens back to the playoffs after a four-year absence. In 2019, Jackson first breaks the NFL record for most rushing yards by a playmaker in a season and is unanimously voted MVP thanks to his impressive performances.

Also in 2020, the nimble quarterback leads Baltimore back to the playoffs, but a year later he suffers an unfortunate injury on Game Day 14 and misses the rest of the season.

Even without looking at the exact statistics behind Jackson’s previous seasons, it should be clear that this is a confessed top playmaker.

With the exception of sustained playoff success (record of 1-3), there would also be little argument against an early contract extension. Some of his position rivals in Buffalo and Cleveland, for example, were granted a higher-paying contract – despite not really having better résumés.

“Lamar Football” as a great recipe for success

“I want to win,” Jackson clarified when asked about his recent performance against New England. “I just want to win and to do that I just have to do what I always do – play ‘Lamar Football’.”

So far, the concept of “Lamar Football” seems to be working brilliantly: 749 passing yards, plus 243 yards on the ground (fifth best in the entire league), a total of twelve touchdowns and only two interceptions.

If the 25-year-old keeps up this pace, he will not only surpass his stats from the historic 2019 MVP season (“only” eight touchdowns and 172 rushing yards after three games), but could also set a new NFL record for touchdowns scored along the way (68 instead of the record 56).

While he has always been considered a strong runner, Jackson has shown an increase in his passing game. It’s a development many didn’t expect since his best receiver on paper – Marquise “Hollywood” Brown – was traded to Arizona in April.

Jackson’s first – and arguably temporary – reward for his recent streak came when he picked up the AFC Offensive Player of the Month award in September.

Saints WR Chris Olave has been named Offensive Rookie of the Month for September.Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd has been named Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.

– Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 29, 2022

Lamar Jackson: Strong performances = even higher contract

The Ravens will probably look at the latest developments with both a laughing and a crying eye: On the one hand, they are once again one of the hottest Super Bowl candidates thanks to Jackson. On the other hand, the 25-year-old’s current successes are driving his “price” ever higher.

“I think he’s reached the point where he’s found himself as a quarterback,” cheered Head Coach Harbaugh after the game in New England.

The next logical step is now clear: to convert a strong regular season also in the playoffs.

Bills at Ravens: Groundbreaking game for Jackson and Co.

The only question is whether the defence will play a part. Since the beginning of the season, the pass defence in particular has been plagued by injuries, and before the seminal game against the Buffalo Bills (both teams stand at 2-1), two players – Marcus Peters and Jalyn Armour-Davis – were again missing from practice.

Accordingly, a large part of the burden will once again rest on the shoulders of Lamar Jackson. The 25-year-old will have unfinished business with the Bills anyway, after all Jackson and the Ravens were eliminated in the Divisional Round of the playoffs in January 2021 in a contested game in Buffalo.

This time, the two teams meet in Baltimore. With a win, the Ravens would further consolidate their top spot in the AFC North and Lamar Jackson would provide further evidence of a long-term future in Maryland.

Silencing his doubters, after all, is no longer a tall order.