The Baltimore Ravens are heading into a crucial NFL regular-season finale, as speculation surrounds Lamar Jackson and his future with the team.
Jackson recently revealed he’s fully committed to playing in Sunday’s game, as the Ravens are in a must-win situation against their division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Along with that, the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player addressed criticism about his ability to play and the “noise” surrounding his relationship with the Ravens and head coach John Harbaugh.
“I was really hurt. I don’t know why I gotta get questioned,” he told reporters on Thursday, later adding, “I never quit on my team before. I never quit anything, to be honest with y’all. I don’t know where that noise come from.”
“Do you think Harbaugh would let me fall asleep in his meetings? I’m right in the front!” Jackson said during his remarks.
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“I believe so. Like I said, I don’t know where the noise comes from, man,” Jackson told reporters when asked if his relationship with Harbaugh is good.
During his remarks, the star quarterback maintained that he wants to remain part of the Ravens organization and reiterated that he was unsure where that sort of speculation even came from.
“We gotta focus on winning right now. Contract talk will be after the season, but during the season, I’m locked in,” he said regarding Sunday’s matchup against Pittsburgh.
Jackson said he knew earlier this week that he was good to go to return to play for his team. He noted that the treatments he received helped him considerably.
“I feel great to be out there with my guys,” Jackson told reporters, adding he was “looking forward to playing Sunday.”
Jackson watched backup quarterback Ty Huntley lead the team to a crucial Week 17 win against the Green Bay Packers. Now he’ll be back at the helm when it matters most. The winners of the Steelers game take the division and the final AFC playoff spot.
Heading into the game, Jackson and the Ravens are the favorite to win by over a field goal. However, they’re playing in Pittsburgh on “Sunday Night Football” against Aaron Rodgers, a player well known for his ability to lead teams to playoff success.
Even with all the chatter, Jackson seems ready to go in this massive matchup involving their division rivals.
“There’s always noise. It’s National Football League. Still gotta focus on winning,” he told reporters.
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