The Baltimore Ravens are entering into a pivotal offseason.
They just parted ways with John Harbaugh, so they need a new head coach. And Lamar Jackson is looking at a cap hit of $74 million next season, so the star QB needs a contract restructuring.
It's on the Jackson point that there could still be a hang-up.
Sports analyst Bomani Jones shared his take on the matter on Wednesday, and he makes some fair points:
"Lamar Jackson is the guy that's in charge, and that's a tricky proposition, man, because he's in charge, and he ain't got no agent. I've talked about this for a really long time, and I think people misunderstand it. They're like, 'Oh you're saying that he's not smart enough to handle his own business.' I've got a f---ing agent. Are you saying that I'm not smart enough to handle this? I've got better s--- to do. And it is helpful to have people in between. This stuff doesn't get out that we just found out if Lamar has an agent. There are counter narratives that are offered... It would be very helpful for him to have a stronger infrastructure around him, but without that infrastructure, he's still in charge."
MORE: Why Browns' nightmare QB history doomed Kevin Stefanski
Jackson has done things his own way for a while now in Baltimore. That includes only showing up at pretty much the bare minimum of offseason activities.
The Ravens will be hoping that a new head coach is what it takes to give Jackson a jolt in the right direction.
MORE: A missed field goal changed everything for Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh
Clearly, he's still the most important piece of the Ravens. He's a two-time MVP while playing the most important position in sports.
Baltimore has to get things right with Jackson to ensure it has the brightest possible future. Jackson still very much has a lot of control in all of this.
More NFL news:
- A priest played a part in the Steelers' miraculous win over the Ravens
- Harrison Smith nearly played QB before his retirement decision
- We now know Lamar Jackson's role in John Harbaugh's firing
- Falcons would've gone to the playoffs if not for the New York Jets
- The Colts ran a fake punt on first down
- Travis Kelce uses New Heights to share a major retirement update