The Baltimore Ravens’ offseason game plan doesn’t begin until something is done about their quarterback situation, specifically if a long-term deal is to be reached with Lamar Jackson.
Tight end Mark Andrews, who has been Jackson’s favorite target since the two landed in Baltimore in 2018, saw the Louisville product win MVP in just his second year in the NFL and lead the locker room ever since.
That’s why he’s confident the Ravens should extend Jackson, knowing he can be their franchise quarterback for years to come.
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Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with tight end Mark Andrews (89) during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
«To me, I know who Lamar is as a person. That’s the most important thing,» Andrews told Fox News Digital, while noting the USAA and Airborne Division 101st Division surprise ticket to Super Bowl LVII for a 12 year military veteran. «He’s an incredible friend, an incredible person. Someone who’s incredible to be around, and especially as a quarterback, he’s incredible. He’s a special player. Those kinds of guys don’t come around very often.»
During appearances on Radio Row at Super Bowl LVII in Arizona, Andrews has been very responsive to Jackson’s question, and his comments here echo what he’s been saying about Jackson.
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«I think Lamar is a raven for life,» he told NBC’s Pro Football Talk. «I know the organization loves Lamar, and I know he has a lot of respect for the organization as well. I think both sides want to close this deal; it’s just a matter of doing it.»
Andrews even mentioned that he would give up his paycheck to keep Jackson on board.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, #8, celebrates with Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, #89, after Andrews’ touchdown run during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 25. September 2022, in Foxborough, USA. Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Both sides were unable to come to an agreement before the start of the 2022 season, and Jackson did not want that to happen to the year, so the talks ended. General manager Eric DeCosta said that despite there being no deal, it was a good thing that both sides were committed. Even head coach John Harbaugh said he expects Jackson to be the Ravens’ quarterback «for a long time,» showing his commitment to getting a deal done in the future.
Baltimore can also use the franchise tag on Jackson if necessary, but that may not sit well with him.
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The Ravens also need to add a new offensive coordinator and, frankly, a few more weapons to get Jackson to work together with Andrews. A new coordinator could also be the shakeup for a Ravens offense that struggled at times last season.
«Football can be so different and a lot of things can change. I’m very excited to see where that goes, and it could look like a lot of things. I think there are a lot of right ways to play football,» Andrews. saying.
But there’s only one Jackson in the NFL, and Andrews expects him to still be throwing passes for years to come.
Lamar Jackson, #8 of the Baltimore Ravens, celebrates with Mark Andrews, #89, after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
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Andrews signed a four-year extension worth $56 million that won’t take him into free agency until the 2026 season.