As long as Lamar Jackson is present and accounted for at game time, that's all Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh really cares about.
That was the message the veteran HC delivered Friday after his superstar quarterback missed the second week of voluntary organized team activities.
"You measure, for any player, how they play," Harbaugh said, via team transcript. "I'm not measuring, really, the attendance. I mean it's a voluntary camp, so I'm not measuring that. I love being out here, and I think all the players do. And when Lamar's out here, I promise you, he loves being out here."
Though not in attendance, Jackson has been in the news.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said Thursday that Jackson and the team had been in contact about an extension. Hence, Harbaugh was asked Friday if Jackson's absence was contract related.
Harbaugh side-armed any take on that.
"I'm not taking any position on it or judging it, or whatever," he said. "Lamar, the day he was out of here, played great. I could see he was in great shape, threw the ball great, made the right reads, knew the offense in an excellent kind of way. I thought he was fantastic. And when he comes back and practices, when that happens, I expect him to play at that level. That's what you measure."
Jackson's reportedly missed five of six OTAs. At least on Friday, he was hardly alone in his absence, with running back Derrick Henry, wide receivers Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and DeAndre Hopkins among a list of notables, per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
As noted by Harbaugh, these are voluntary workouts.
Jackson is the QB, though, so that comes with the scrutiny of the position, and an expected extension, one that could well reset the market, brightens the spotlight.
The 28-year-old Jackson is a two-time AP NFL Most Valuable Player who was runner-up in last season's voting to the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen. The Baltimore dynamo was spectacular to the tune of 4,172 passing yards and 41 touchdowns -- each career highs -- to go with 915 rushing yards.
After a lengthy saga that encompassed the better part of two offseasons, Jackson inked a five-year, $260 million extension in the spring of 2023. He's still got three seasons left on his current deal, but as the QB market has risen, a new contract has been earned with Jackson's $52 million annual salary 10th at the position currently.
With preliminary discussions ongoing, according to DeCosta, everyone involved is likely hoping for a much easier route to an agreement than the last time around.
As Jackson aims for his next big deal, the Ravens clearly don't view missing OTAs as one.
"I always feel good about Lamar. He always comes in ready," Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said Tuesday, via the team website. "He loves to play football. He loves his teammates. He loves the Ravens. … He'll be ready too, and we'll be ready to go against Buffalo come Sunday night."
Baltimore kicks of its season in Week 1 against Allen and the Bills in a much-ballyhooed season-opening showdown.
The Ravens have another week of OTAs coming up, mandatory minicamp from June 17-19 and training camp to follow in July.
There's still ample time before then for Jackson to get in reps, get up to speed -- and perhaps sign an extension.
Said Harbaugh: "He's my guy. I love him, and I can't wait to just get into this season and get going."
