Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta spoke with the media on Friday for his end of year press conference. Among the many questions asked, there was arguably none bigger than about where the team stands as it relates to a contract extension with quarterback Lamar Jackson.
DeCosta mentioned multiple conversations between the two, citing that they are working at Jackson’s pace and that the quarterback is comfortable with where they are right now. He also talked about how there is always an open line of communication, with the pair talking very recently.
“Well, the first thing I would say is this is an unusual negotiation, because I’ve been dealing with a player, and I would never divulge a conversation with a player,” DeCosta said. “So, for me to talk about it in specifics would be prohibitive. What I can say is that Lamar [Jackson] and I have had, probably, I don’t know, five or six conversations at different points over the last year in regard to his contract. We picked up his option, as you know. I think, at this point, I would say that we’re working at Lamar’s pace. He’s comfortable where we are right now. I think he feels that we have a lot of unfinished business [and] he has a lot of unfinished business. He wants to win the division. He wants to win the Super Bowl. I think he and I both share that same vision. So, that’s basically where we stand. There’s a great line of communication. I know that Lamar knows he can come up to see me at any point. He can call me at any point; we actually talked this week. He can text me at any point. We will operate based on his urgency. So, that’s basically where we stand. I think, right now, we want to see Lamar get healthy. We have a lot of different things we need to work on as a team. The offense is a big part of that, but there are a lot of other things we have to focus on as well.