For much of his football career, Lamar Jackson has been at the center of the chatter.
When things are going well, it’s good. When it’s not going so well, the critics come out.
That’s how it’s been over the past week, as a local columnist questioned Jackson’s work ethic, his relationship with Head Coach John Harbaugh, and proposed that the Ravens should explore trading their superstar quarterback.
Jackson got his chance to respond to it on Thursday, as he stands poised to make his return from a back contusion and play in Sunday night’s AFC North title game in Pittsburgh.
Jackson is clearly in a good mood and fired up for the game, and he didn’t have much time for the chatter.
“I don’t really care about the criticism. It’s going to be that way, especially with how the season was going and stuff like that,” Jackson said. “When you’re winning, there’s no noise. But soon as you lose, or things don’t look right, all types of noise come out of nowhere. So, it is what it is.”
One aspect of the report alleged that Jackson stays up too late playing video games and falls asleep in team meetings.
“Do you think Harbaugh would let me fall asleep in his meeting? That’s crazy. I’m right in the front,” Jackson said with a laugh.
“I heard that I [was] playing a game at like one or two in the morning. I don’t even do that during the summer, so I don’t know where that comes from either.”
Jackson and Harbaugh have been together since 2008. Asked whether they have a good relationship, Jackson responded, “Yes, I believe so. Like I said, I don’t know where the noise came from.”
Jackson’s salary cap hit jumps to $74.5 million next season, which has elicited more chatter about whether the Ravens will reach a contract extension with him this offseason. Asked if he wants to be in Baltimore, Jackson made it clear.
“Absolutely, man. Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely. I don’t even know where that comes from,” Jackson said.
“We have to focus on winning right now. So, contract talk can be after the season or whatever, but during the season, I’m locked in.”
