Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) walks off the field after a win over Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Lamar Jackson has a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator, a couple of new wide receivers and a couple of new offensive linemen, but he does not have a new contract. At least not yet. The superstar quarterback and the Baltimore Ravens will not reach an extension in time before Sunday's season-opening showdown with the Indianapolis Colts, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Fans will probably have to wait until 2027 for pen to be put to paper.
There is no reported tension, however. Actually, Jackson and the Ravens are said to be on excellent terms. If the AFC North squad enjoys a successful start to the Jesse Minter era, then a historic deal is bound to get done. The focus is on Week 1, though.
The two-time MVP always faces a significant amount of scrutiny, particularly in the playoffs, but there will be even more eyeballs on him after John Harbaugh's exit. The Super Bowl 47 champion and longtime Ravens head coach drew criticism for how he managed late-game situations and his coaching staff, but he deserves credit for helping Jackson blossom into an all-around talent. Minter and OC Declan Doyle will now try to take that process another step further.
Isaiah Likely and Patrick Ricard followed Harbaugh to the New York Giants, but No. 8 can still lean on two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers and former All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews. Future Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry will ideally be able to share in the burden as well after posting another terrific campaign. But Lamar Jackson should determine Baltimore's ceiling.
The 29-year-old will try to set the tone in Indy this Sunday afternoon, and if all goes well, he will have more evidence to show when the two sides return to the negotiating table.