Lamar Jackson 'a Grown Man': Roquan Smith on Ravens Contract Talks

Lamar Jackson's contract situation promises to be a big distraction for the Baltimore Ravens as the offseason approaches.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith paved the way for contract negotiations without an agent. 

Fresh off a five-year extension signed in January with the Ravens, Smith worked his deal without the services of an agent. And there's another Ravens player who's in the same situation.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson is also working without the benefit of an agent, but apparently, things are going as smoothly as they did for Smith in the front office.

“I haven’t really chatted with him about anything,” Smith said, via NFL.com. “Cause all our situations are unique in their own way. It would be wrong of me to try to go in and say this or that because his situation is clearly different than mine, so I can’t really go in there and say you should do this or that. 

"He’s a grown man at the end of the day, and he’s gonna do what he feels is best for him and I support him just from one man to another.”

Jackson's contract situation promises to be a big distraction for the club as the offseason approaches. But there are still options if a long-term deal can't get done.

Later this month, the Ravens will be able to place the franchise tag on Jackson, which at this point seems the most likely thing to happen based on the lack of progress between the two sides.

The tag could open up the door for a trade, which also seems more and more likely as the relationship between Jackson and the Ravens continues to decay. 

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