ExtremeRavens Posted 10 hours ago Posted 10 hours ago Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston’s opinion piece about Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson’s future with the team became the focal point of Ravens talk as Christmas Eve turned into Christmas Day. Jackson is unlikely to play against Green Bay on Saturday night — a must-win game in a season that has felt as disjointed as any in the Jackson era. Despite his absence from practice this week because of a back injury he suffered against New England, Jackson’s name was all over social media and national sports television shows. These conversations, though, had little to do with his chances to play this weekend. READER POLL: What should the Ravens do with Lamar Jackson? In the column published Tuesday, Preston wrote that the Ravens and their two-time NFL Most Valuable Player are at a crossroads come this offseason, offering up a few potential resolutions, including a potential trade to the Miami Dolphins. Jackson carries salary cap hits of $74.5 million in 2026 and 2027 after signing a five-year, $260 million contract extension in 2023, making a restructured deal or new extension likely. Preston also questioned the relationship between Jackson, coach John Harbaugh and the team. “Once the Ravens become critical of Jackson, he becomes more withdrawn,” Preston wrote. “It’s a shame because Jackson isn’t a mean-spirited person, just an overgrown kid in an adult’s body.” The reaction within the Baltimore sports community, and among national pundits, was swift. Harbaugh was asked about the article during Wednesday’s post-practice news conference, and he disputed the notion that his relationship with Jackson was fractured. “I’ll tell you how I feel,” Harbaugh said about Preston’s column. “I’m pretty transparent. … That would be wrong to say that [I am tired of Jackson]. That’s not true. I had a great conversation with Lamar this morning about a few things, football and how he’s feeling. Our relationship is A-plus.” Harbaugh’s comments did little to calm the chatter on social media and beyond. Fox Sports personality Nick Wright shared Preston’s article on X, saying, “There’s a real & obvious disconnect with Lamar & John Harbaugh, and the Ravens (correctly) feel Lamar has some growing up to do.” Wright’s Fox Sports colleague Colin Cowherd picked up the story and used a segment of his show “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” to cover it. “I could absolutely see [the Ravens] taking a phone call from the Raiders or the Dolphins,” Cowherd said. “… This is the first time I’ve watched him and thought ‘Where’s the juice?’” Former players-turned-media stars Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco dedicated a segment to the Jackson story on their podcast “Night Cap,” which published Friday. Sharpe said that the Ravens’ front office faces major challenges this offseason. “They’ve got some tough decisions to make,” Sharpe said. “This roster has gotten old. They let it get old.” Former Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth broke down the Preston column and looked ahead at a potential Jackson trade, which he called “ridiculous” on “The Domonique Foxworth Show.” “It would be the best player traded, I guess, ever?” he questioned. Jackson’s future will continue to be debated as the Ravens head toward a pivotal offseason. If the Ravens fall to Green Bay on Saturday night and are eliminated from postseason contention, the conversation might intensify as Baltimore looks to 2026. Have a news tip? Contact Matt Hamilton at mhamilton@baltsun.com and x.com/Matthamilton92. View the full article Quote
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