Jackson: I would love to be with Ravens 'forever'
Lamar Jackson can't wait to ink a long-term deal with the Baltimore Ravens, and the star quarterback is hoping this is just his first contract extension with the franchise.
"I would love to be here forever," Jackson said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "I love Baltimore. I love the whole organization. I love everybody in the building. Hopefully, we'll be making something happen pretty soon whenever."
The Ravens have been negotiating an extension with Jackson since the 2020 season concluded, and the two sides were reportedly far apart in their talks during the first month.
However, the uncertainties surrounding when his deal will be signed don't bother the signal-caller.
"I'm really focused on the season, and I'm focused on trying to win," said Jackson, who owns a 30-7 regular-season record in Baltimore. "I'm not really worried about if it gets done this year or next year. We're going to see. We don't know yet."
The organization exercised the fifth-year option on Jackson's rookie contract this offseason, keeping him signed through 2022. The 2019 NFL MVP is set to make $1.171 million this season, with his annual average salary increasing to $23 million next year.
The Louisville product, who the Ravens selected 32nd overall in 2018, was one of five quarterbacks drafted in the first round that year, along with Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen.
Jackson is all but certain to become one of the NFL's highest-paid quarterbacks. The Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes and the Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott top the league with an annual average salary of $45 million and $40 million, respectively.