Because the preseason winds down, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s self-imposed Week 1 deadline to signal a contract extension creeps nearer. Within the eyes of Corridor of Fame signal-caller and NFL analyst Steve Younger, Jackson shouldn’t be in any rush to shut a deal.
In an look Thursday night time on ESPN, Younger mentioned that if the Ravens don’t develop a “subtle” passing offense round Jackson, the 2019 NFL Most Useful Participant could be higher served enjoying elsewhere.
“Lamar Jackson is a whole participant that's [not being trained] in being a classy passer,” Younger mentioned. “And now you’re asking, ‘Why isn’t he paid to be [Kansas City Chiefs star] Patrick Mahomes?’ As a result of they haven’t given him an opportunity to be Patrick Mahomes. So till they do, Lamar Jackson’s damned due to what the Ravens are doing, not due to Lamar Jackson.”
A change in surroundings early in Younger’s profession served him effectively. After being drafted first general within the 1984 NFL supplemental draft, he spent two disappointing seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier than becoming a member of the San Francisco 49ers to function Joe Montana’s backup. As soon as he took over the full-time job in 1991, he turned a star, incomes two MVP awards, a Tremendous Bowl MVP and 7 Professional Bowl alternatives over the subsequent decade.
Whereas Jackson has had a record-setting begin to his NFL profession, together with essentially the most wins by a quarterback beneath the age of 25, Younger believes Jackson isn’t being given an opportunity to succeed in his full potential whereas working the Ravens’ run-heavy offense.
“I can’t wait for somebody to coach Lamar Jackson in a classy passing sport. I believe he’d be the best participant within the historical past of the sport,” Younger mentioned. “However he retains getting held again by the Ravens 12 months after 12 months as a result of they hold doubling down on this [rushing] factor Lamar Jackson is nice at. No query, he’s the very best at that. However that’s not the championship soccer they should play. That’s not what Lamar Jackson needs to be.”
That sort of criticism is nothing new to Greg Roman, who’s served because the Ravens’ offensive coordinator since 2019, when Jackson turned a full-time starter. Roman understands the scrutiny, however he mentioned in June that it hasn’t shaken his perception within the offense’s course.
“As knowledgeable, we’re all our harshest critics, and I believe we all know the reality, and also you simply consider in that and hold making an attempt to get higher day-after-day,” Roman mentioned throughout organized staff actions this offseason. “Don’t get set in your methods; simply hold making an attempt to adapt, evolve and alter, and don’t fear a few factor.”
Robert Griffin III, the previous star Washington quarterback who spent three seasons with Jackson in Baltimore, informed Younger and his fellow ESPN colleagues that Jackson shouldn’t accept something lower than being the highest-paid quarterback within the league — the Inexperienced Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers tops the checklist with a $50.3 million common annual wage. Daily Jackson will get nearer to free company, Griffin mentioned, he beneficial properties leverage in negotiations. However Griffin doesn’t assume that’s going to drive Jackson out of Baltimore.
“I merely assume that is negotiations,” Griffin mentioned. “The Baltimore Ravens, they love Lamar Jackson. They love Lamar. Lamar loves Baltimore. The underside line is, that is simply negotiating energy, and Lamar is keen to name their bluff. In the event that they’re not providing what he needs, he’s keen to say, ‘All proper, I’ll simply play it out.’ He’s not going to do one thing that can flip that metropolis in opposition to him, I can promise you that.”
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