Lamar Jackson, the star quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, has been in the spotlight once again, but this time, it's not for the reasons he'd hoped. Amidst the buzz surrounding his potential contract extension and the team's upcoming AFC North title game, a local columnist has sparked a debate about Jackson's work ethic and his relationship with Head Coach John Harbaugh. However, Jackson is taking it all in stride, maintaining a positive outlook and a laser focus on the game ahead.
'I Don't Really Care About the Criticism'
When asked about the recent criticism, Jackson remained unfazed, stating, "I don't really care about the criticism. It's going to be that way, especially with how the season was going and stuff like that. When you're winning, there's no noise. But soon as you lose, or things don't look right, all types of noise come out of nowhere. So, it is what it is."
The report alleged that Jackson's late-night gaming habits and sleeping in team meetings were the source of the criticism. However, Jackson laughed off these claims, saying, "Do you think Harbaugh would let me fall asleep in his meeting? That's crazy. I'm right in the front. I heard that I [was] playing a game at like one or two in the morning. I don't even do that during the summer, so I don't know where that comes from either."
A Strong Relationship with Harbaugh
Jackson and Harbaugh have been together since 2008, and Jackson believes their relationship is strong. "Yes, I believe so. Like I said, I don't know where the noise came from."
Contract Talks and Future in Baltimore
With Jackson's salary cap hit set to jump to $74.5 million next season, there's been speculation about the Ravens reaching a contract extension with him this offseason. When asked if he wants to be in Baltimore, Jackson was unequivocal: "Absolutely, man. Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely. I don't even know where that comes from."
Focusing on the Game
Jackson is committed to focusing on the game at hand, stating, "We have to focus on winning right now. So, contract talk can be after the season or whatever, but during the season, I'm locked in."
Protecting His Midsection
After suffering a painful contusion in the back following a knee to the back in the game against the New England Patriots, Jackson plans to wear more protection in Pittsburgh. He wore extra padding under his jersey at practice on Wednesday and will use it when facing the Steelers. "I'm trying to keep my back protected, so yeah, definitely [will wear it]," Jackson said. "I think I played with something similar my rookie year, but I just stopped wearing it."
Toughness and Exit Strategy
Jackson also addressed the chatter questioning his toughness, particularly his decision to exit the Patriots game and not play last week in Green Bay due to his contusion. "I always want to play football. But I felt like my brother [Tyler Huntley] could pull the win off for us because I wouldn't be able to do anything. I was really hurt," Jackson said. "I don't know why I hear things … I never quit on my team before. I never quit anything, to be honest. I don't know where that noise comes from. … Someone probably thinks I'm a robot, but I'm a human being, too. Unfortunately, I couldn't avoid that injury."
Playing with Poise
As the Ravens and Steelers prepare for their elimination game with the division title on the line, defensive coordinator Zach Orr emphasized the importance of playing with poise. "It should be exciting; it's an exciting time. This is what you work for. You have the opportunity to go win a division championship and then clinch a playoff spot, which is every NFL player's dream," Orr said. "But you have to keep your poise. The game is going to be played within the white lines. The field is not going to get any bigger. You just have to lock in play-by-play, and then you have to move on, whether it's a good play or a bad play. You have to play the next play until the game is over."
Physicality Without the After-Whistle Stuff
Linebacker Roquan Smith, known for his physicality, agrees that toughness is revealed on the field, not after the whistle. "I always think in the game of football, [when] people are doing stuff after the whistle and things like that, it doesn't really reveal how tough you are. What reveals how tough you are is what you do between the lines," Smith said. "I would say myself [that I am] one of the toughest ones out there. I'm not one to do stuff after the whistle and things of that nature. You show your manhood by how you do it during the whistle, and I think it's going to be a physical game."
Ravens Waive Ben Cleveland
In other team news, the Ravens have waived guard Ben Cleveland, who was eligible to return this week from his three-game suspension for violating the substance abuse policy. Cleveland played three offensive snaps in 10 games this season, and the Ravens have decided to move on, with Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele as the starting guards and rookie Emery Jones Jr. as the top backup.
This week's game against the Steelers promises to be an intense and physical affair, with both teams aiming to prove their mettle. As the Ravens prepare to face their bitter rivals, the focus is on staying poised, playing tough, and leaving the noise behind.
