In December last year, columnist Mike Preston came up with an uncomfortable claim: John Harbaugh had grown tired of Lamar Jackson. The accusations mentioned how Jackson would often stay up late to play video games, thus falling asleep during team meetings. Soon after, the Baltimore Ravens head coach refuted the rumors, calling his relationship with Jackson “A-plus”. But it was too late for damage control. Uncertainty about the latter’s future with the team spread, only intensified by the quarterback’s dicey contract situation. But if you ask Jackson, he has no time for such questions, especially not after their recent heartbreaking loss.

“Bro, we just lost a game, a divisional game, a game that could’ve put us in the playoffs,” Jackson reportedly said according to Ravens beat writer Bo Smolka, when asked about his future and contract cap number. “I’m not even thinking about that right now, to be honest with you. I’m still caught up in what just happened. That’s not my focus right now.”

But even if the 2x NFL MVP is unwilling to pay heed to future talks, that’s probably the first thing on the front office’s mind.

Mainly because Jackson has two years left on his five-year, $260 million deal that he signed in April 2023. The issue here is that the contract has a $74.5 million cap number for the next two seasons, along with $29 million in guaranteed money due this year. Per reports, a contract extension will help allow the team to spread the cap hit over several years. However, given the quarterback’s performance, insiders are unsure if the Ravens are willing to commit.

“Lamar Jackson’s future is interesting, because he’s got a $75 million cap hit,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted on SportsCenter. “The guaranteed money on his long-term deal is drying out. So the Ravens have a decision to make here. Do they want to continue to negotiate? There are questions about how they’re going to handle this, because they haven’t won big with Jackson yet. Most people I’ve talked to say that, look, the Ravens know they’re better off with Jackson than without, but it’s going to be costly either way.

There’s been some discussions, there’s been some leaks about whether [head coach John Harbaugh’s] happy with Lamar Jackson, all that fun stuff that you sometimes see with a negotiation. When I talk to people in and around the situation, what’s clear is the Ravens do know life is better with Lamar Jackson than it is without.”

That’s still a conversation for another day, though. Because, like Lamar Jackson said, we’re probably going to take time forgetting their 26-24 upset to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tyler Loop becomes the “anti-hero” in Ravens’ playoff elimination

After the two teams traded touchdown passes late in the fourth quarter, the Baltimore Ravens did exactly what they needed to do. They converted a fourth-and-seven, moved into position, and set up a potential game-winner for kicker Tyler Loop. Loop’s attempt sailed wide right. And just like that, the Ravens’ season ended.

From the sideline, John Harbaugh felt they were exactly where they wanted to be. He explained afterward that they didn’t want to risk anything going wrong on a run before the kick. The goal was simple: center the ball, protect the situation, and trust the spot. Harbaugh thought his team was in a good spot.

Later, the head coach also comforted the young player, not with words but actions.

As the 24-year-old was heading to the locker room after the game, Harbaugh joined him. Draping an arm around the rookie, the duo then walked out out of the cameras view.

“I caught a little bit,” Loop said in a post-game conversation. “Operation was great. It was a great situation, exactly what we wanted and unfortunately I just mis hit the ball. We call it — hitting it thin. Just spins fast and goes off to the right. Just want to say I’m super grateful to Baltimore and the organization, the city. And, just for a time like that, it sucks. And, I want to do better, and unfortunately, the nature of the job is, you have makes and those are awesome and unfortunately you have misses and for that to happen tonight sucks.”

Before this, Loop had not missed a field goal from 40+ throughout the season, which makes it even more gut-wrenching.