Ravens' Harbaugh: Lamar focused on season, not extension

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is locked into his preparations for the 2022 campaign and isn't worrying about ongoing contract negotiations.

"Lamar has said he's focused on the season, he's under contract, and he's going to have the best season he can have," said head coach John Harbaugh, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley.

"He's hopeful to get a new contract and we're hopeful to get him a new contract."

The 2019 MVP said last month that he wanted clarity regarding his contract status by Week 1.

Jackson does not have an agent so is representing himself during contract talks. The 25-year-old is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie deal, which will pay him $23.016 million.

The Ravens could opt to place the franchise tag on the two-time Pro Bowler to prevent him from becoming a free agent.

Jackson missed the club's voluntary workouts in the spring for the first time in his career, which led to speculation regarding his status with the franchise. However, Jackson reported on time for training camp and has not missed a practice since.

Harbaugh isn't sure where discussions between Jackson and the club stand. "I don't have any updates," he said. "My interactions with Lamar have been all football. He's been focused and locked in on that, 100%, from a football standpoint."

The ever-changing landscape of quarterback contracts has made the negotiating process difficult. The Cleveland Browns signed Deshaun Watson to a fully guaranteed $230-million deal that Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti noted as a complicating factor for future discussions with signal-callers.

Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson also signed new deals that exceed $165 million guaranteed.