Raven Country

Odell Beckham Jr.: 'Clear Understanding' Lamar Jackson is Ravens QB

Lamar Jackson's active role in Odell Beckham's arrival is an intriguing indicator of his future with the Baltimore Ravens.

Geoff Maggliocchetti

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If Lamar Jackson truly wants to leave Baltimore, he's certainly not making things easier for himself. In a good way, it's actually the other way around.

It's perhaps no secret that Jackson is friends with Odell Beckham Jr., the newest member of the Baltimore Ravens. But the conversations shared between the two could bring some welcome clarity and a path forward for what could shape up to be a very fateful year for the franchise.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Jackson and the Ravens aren't any closer to the long-term deal he's reportedly seeking ... but Lamar's conversations with Beckham, in Baltimore on a one-year deal potentially worth $18 million, give him an immediate destination.

"In (Jackson's) recruitment, it's not like Lamar said 'OK, I'm about to do a (long-term) deal, we're good to go,' but there was a clear understanding that when they talked about the quarterback that's going to be throwing passes to Odell, it's probably going to be Lamar," Rapoport said. "Now, I guess a crazy thing could happen, some team could sign him to an offer sheet. (But) we've had zero indications that could be the case." 

"All signs point to (Lamar Jackson) being the Ravens' quarterback next year in some form or fashion, either under the tag or a new contract. That is how Lamar Jackson and Beckham and the organization are proceeding."

It's perhaps far from an official confirmation but this report - which reiterates the point we made immediately upon OBJ's signing, that both players had to be "in on this - is the clearest sign of an endgame to Jackson's rollercoaster offseason saga with the Ravens.

Baltimore is no stranger to using valuable capital on the receivers to potentially help Jackson: since 2015, they've used four opening-round draft picks on those capable of catching the ball. All but one (Rashod Bateman) has already left and he dealt with injuries all last season. Jackson has nonetheless turned himself into one of the more statistically impressive quarterbacks in the league since he arrived in Baltimore in 2018 ... when he's healthy, of course.

Beckham is in a similar spot: Well-known as a walking highlight reel, his most recent NFL affairs saw him help the Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl LVI. He did not play last season due to knee surgery to fix a torn ACL sustained in the final victory over the Cincinnati Bengals but that didn't stop the Ravens from offering him big money ($15 mil guaranteed) for a year's service.

"There's a lot to like here if you're Lamar Jackson," Rapoport said. "Despite the Ravens doing what they could, giving a lot of resources, including multiple first-round picks ... they really haven't had a receiver of this caliber since Lamar Jackson's been the quarterback. ... But still, as far as the receiver position, this is what they've been looking for."

And now both stars are likely "looking'' at being together in Baltimore.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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Geoff Maggliocchetti
GEOFF MAGGLIOCCHETTI

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