Lamar Jackson headlines this offseason’s free-agent class, but Mark Andrews can’t picture his longtime Baltimore Ravens teammate playing anywhere else.
In an interview with Jim Rome, the star tight end said he’d “give [Jackson] what he wants” if he had a role in contract negotiations. Andrew can’t imagine Jackson wearing any other uniform.
“He’s a Raven. He’s a Raven for life,” Andrews said. “He’s meant for the purple.”
Jackson and Andrews have become one of the NFL’s top duos since the Ravens drafted both in 2018. Andrews believes the two sides will work out a deal.
“I’m confident that they’re going to be able to figure that one out,” he said. “I know Lamar wants to be a Raven. He’s passionate about that, being a part of this organization, and I know they feel the same way about him.”
If they don’t reach a long-term deal, the Ravens can retain Jackson on a franchise tag. Andrews said the “incredibly competitive” quarterback would still be driven on a one-year contract given his desire to win and respect for his teammates.
Jackson missed Baltimore’s final six games, including a first-round playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, with a sprained knee. While some outsiders questioned the 26-year-old for not playing, Andrews defended Jackson in a separate interview with Chris Simms.
“If he could’ve been out there, he would’ve been,” Andrews told Simms.
The Ravens lost four of their final five games without Jackson, reminiscent of them ending 2021 with six straight losses while the 2019 MVP was sidelined. Andrews doesn’t want that representing the team’s new reality next season.