Lamar Jackson Shares Message for Fans Who DM’d Him During Negotiations

The Ravens star quarterback weighed in on the constant messages he received from fans while securing his new extension.

Lamar Jackson signed his blockbuster five-year, $260 million contract extension on Thursday. Afterwards, he addressed reporters for the first time since agreeing to the terms of the record-breaking deal a week ago.

Prior to signing his new extension, the 2019 NFL MVP and the Ravens had been at a stalemate regarding Jackson’s desire to receive a full guaranteed deal. In March, Baltimore imposed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, which gave both parties until July 17 to secure a multi-year extension.

The two-time Pro Bowler had even requested a trade from the franchise on March 2. However, in officially signing the new extension—one that he achieved without a formal agent—on Thursday, the 26-year-old said he appreciated the constant direct messages and expressions of hope from fans during the negotiation process.

“It means a lot to me,” Jackson told reporters in the news conference. “I can’t even explain it how much I love the fanbase. … I was always getting messages from them, people crying, sad in my DMs, I’m like man they got me sad. I wanna tell them that we making progress but I don’t because I don’t want to spoil what’s going on. … I love the community so much. I tell everybody that’s like my third home because Florida, Louisville then here. But I’m here for five years so this my home home.”

Orr: Lamar Jackson Changed the Perception of Self-Negotiated Deals Even Without a Fully Guaranteed Contract

.@Lj_era8 has seen your DMs and comments 😅😅😅 pic.twitter.com/HaJMGfUOks

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 4, 2023

Jackson will be the face of the franchise through the ’27 season. His extension surpassed the record $255 million extension signed by Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Even more, Jackson’s $185 million guaranteed is the third largest guarantee on a contract in NFL history.