Mark Andrews says that Lamar Jackson is a "Raven for life," among an ongoing contract dispute between the star quarterback and the organization that drafted him in 2018. The star tight end addressed the team's quarterback situation during an interview with Sirius XM NFL Radio. Recent reports have suggested that the Ravens intend on placing the franchise tag on Jackson.
“Obviously I hope that we get my guy Lamar Jackson back,” Andrews said. “You know ‘cuz he’s a Raven for life.” He further continued: “If there’s one thing I know, I know that he wants to be a Raven. And I know the Ravens organization want him. And so he’s our quarterback. I’m hopeful they’re going to be able to get that deal done and he’s going to be my quarterback.”
Andrews wasn't the only one of Jackson's teammates to address his contract situation. Linebacker Roquan Smith also spoke about Jackson's future during an interview at the Pro Bowl. Smith joined the team prior to the trade deadline in 2022.
“I haven’t really chatted with him about anything,” Smith said, via NFL.com. “Cause all our situations are unique in their own way. It would be wrong of me to try to go in and say this or that, because his situation is clearly different than mine, so I can’t really go in there and say you should do this or that. He’s a grown man at the end of the day, and he’s gonna do what he feels is best for him and I support him just from one man to another.”
As for Jackson himself, he has not publicly expressed any desire to leave Baltimore. If the Ravens do franchise tag on him for 2023, it will cost them about $45 million. It would also give them until July to reach an agreement on a longer-term deal. Jackson reportedly previously turned down a five-year contract extension worth $250 million, with $133 million guaranteed at signing.
[Via]
