Lamar Jackson’s contract negotiations with the Ravens will be put on hold once the regular season begins, according to ESPN.
Jackson said he hopes he and Baltimore can sort things out with the Week 1 kickoff just four weeks away.
The 2019 NFL MVP is still ready to get paid, and his fifth-year option will net Jackson just over $23 million this season.
If the two fail to reach an agreement by March 7, the Ravens will have to put a franchise tag on Jackson to prevent him from becoming an unrestricted free agent following the season.
Jackson, who is representing himself rather than having an agent, reportedly did not engage in contract talks until June. The Ravens’ brass previously said Jackson showed no “urgency” to step into his square extension.
“I’m very confident it’ll be done when it’s done,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh told ESPN. “You can’t really rush. I don’t think either side wants to rush anything; both parties want to be happy when all is said and done.
The Louisville product took over the Ravens’ starting job in 2018 and quickly revitalized Baltimore’s offense.
The Ravens have made three straight playoff appearances with Jackson at the helm — who ranks first in quarterback rushing yards since 2018 with 3,534.
