Betting on himself is working for the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge. And now Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is going to follow a similar path in his contract talks with the NFC North team.
Jackson said Saturday he will end negotiations when the regular season begins.
“We’re coming up to it. It’s coming up,” said Jackson, who represents himself. “The season’s coming up. We’re going to be good for the season.”
Asked if it’s fair to say he wants his contract situation settled by Week 1, Jackson replied, “Yeah, for sure.”
Jackson is entering his fifth-year option, which will pay him $23.016 million this season. If a deal isn’t finalized by March 7, the Ravens would have to place the franchise tag on Jackson to keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has faith the deal will get done.
“The business part of it’s the business part of it,” Harbaugh said. “I’m very confident that’ll get done when it gets done. You can’t really rush it. I don’t think either side wants to rush anything.
“Both sides want to be happy when it’s all said and done, and probably both sides unhappy, when it’s all said and done, to some degree, right? That’s kind of how it works. But he’s doing a great job. He’s practicing well. He’s a great leader. On the sideline, he’s right into the games. So everything thumbs up.”