ExtremeRavens Posted 21 hours ago Posted 21 hours ago Lamar Jackson was on the phone with Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti the night before John Harbaugh was fired. He’s been texting with general manager Eric DeCosta after every coaching candidate interview. Baltimore’s superstar quarterback even has an open invitation to fly in Bisciotti’s personal airplane if he’s interested in having a presence during this all-important process. “[Jackson will have] a lot of say,” Bisciotti said, “but he has no power.” The team’s longtime owner met with reporters Tuesday in the aftermath of his decision to fire Harbaugh. It was his first time speaking with non-team reporters since 2022 and his first formal news conference at the practice facility in Owings Mills since February 2018. Bisciotti offered clarity on what has been a most pressing question as the Ravens navigate the spillage from such a disappointing season: How much say will Jackson have on the direction of the team? “They [players] have opinions and I want them all,” Bisciotti said. “I care about my players very much but I can’t give them power.” Jackson is the centerpiece of Baltimore’s Super Bowl aspirations. With four Pro Bowl selections, three All-Pro nods and a hefty $260 million contract, Ravens brass made clear that he’s the guy they want hoisting a trophy. They value his opinion, as they made clear Tuesday. The evening of Monday, Jan. 5, the night before he fired Harbaugh, Bisciotti said that he spoke with several veteran players. Jackson made clear to Bisciotti over the phone that, despite several reports indicating otherwise, he did not have a problem with Harbaugh or offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Jackson was candid. He told Bisciotti, the owner said, that they “probably” need to make changes after a regression that barred Baltimore from the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Many figured that would be one or both of the coordinators and perhaps a collection of assistant coaches, not a full-blown reset. “That’s probably more for you and [DeCosta],” Jackson told him. “Well, your opinion matters,” Bisciotti replied. Before they got off the phone, Bisciotti told Jackson that the decision to fire Harbaugh was “pretty set,” although not “iron-clad.” News of Harbaugh’s firing broke the next day. Bisciotti said that the face of his franchise did not have “an outsized” say in the decision. Ravens team owner, Steve Bisciotti, left, speaks with quarterback Lamar Jackson before the 2025 season opener against the Browns. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) The Ravens have since turned to an exhaustive process of finding their next head coach. As of Tuesday afternoon, eight candidates have completed interviews. Eight or nine others will speak with the team via Zoom by Sunday. DeCosta has been messaging with Jackson after every interview, Bisciotti said, pointing to the man sitting beside him. Jackson is notoriously tough to stay in contact with during the offseason, but it’s clear the Ravens are making every effort to keep the quarterback abreast. “I think he’s getting some opinions from Lamar,” said Bisciotti, who acknowledged that he’s sitting out the initial round of interviews but will be present for the in-person follow-ups beginning next week. “I said to Lamar last night, when they call me up from Florida, you better get your [butt] up here too. … I said to Lamar, you can jump on my plane or find another way to get up there [to Baltimore]. If you’re that interested, then we’re gonna get a schedule, he’s gonna call you up, he’s gonna offer you the same luxury. I said, ‘I hope you take it.’” Jackson replied, “Yes sir, I think I will.” Whether the quarterback follows through remains to be seen. He doesn’t have a reputation of being in the building during the offseason. Still, the front office would prefer to make this decision in lock-step with Jackson. This was a down year for the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player. Jackson dealt with several injuries. During one two-month stretch, he missed at least one practice every week. Fans weren’t treated to the full strength of Jackson’s quarterback mastery until, perhaps, the fourth quarter of Week 18 in Pittsburgh. Still, just that performance in the waning minutes of the season was enough of a reminder that Jackson hasn’t lost his fastball. Bisciotti and DeCosta were adamant Jackson is their quarterback of the future. They verbalized confidence in an ability to renegotiate a deal Jackson — whose salary-cap hit climbs to $74.5 million each of the next two seasons — so they can maintain a contending team around him. That requires ironing out an agreement before free agency begins in March. Success in Baltimore starts and stops with Jackson. He’ll have input in the direction of the organization, as many expect. At the end of the day, it’s Bisciotti’s call. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article Quote
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