As Ravens reach mega deal with...

If you watched the news conference between the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson hoping to learn more about the drawn-out, protracted discussions, the conflict sparked by trade requests, or the hotly contested non-exclusive franchise tag, you probably came away unsatisfied.

The Ravens and their new highest-paid quarterback in the league both had little interest in outlining the complicated process that resulted in a five-year, $260 million contract with $185 million in guarantees. They provided very little explanation as to why demands for completely guaranteed deals were eventually denied.

The trade demand?

When asked about that to begin the press conference, Jackson said, "Today we're going to keep it about the future." I have little concern about what has already occurred. Jackson was given the non-exclusive tag, allowing him to bargain with other teams.

Jackson, who was seated at the podium between head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta, stated, "I really didn't care for other teams." "I wanted to do something here. I desired to become a raven. Jackson insisted repeatedly that the sale would be completed and said he "didn't have a doubt in my mind" that it would. Jackson's tweets on March 27 were in sharp contrast to the narrative's unwavering optimism.

Do those tweets appear to represent someone's position without a doubt?

From a distance, the comments seem completely out of place. Jackson could have nevertheless clarified the origin of that discrepancy for us.

Because, according to Jackson, the quarterback who was at the podium celebrating his generational wealth wasn't the same person who had negotiated his own contract. And just one Lamar Jackson will reside in Baltimore for the following five years.

'It's different from playing football,' Jackson says of representing himself.

Jackson indicated his description with a hand on either side of his face to suggest tunnel vision while raising his arms. In order to negotiate this contract, Jackson and his mother Felicia Jones, who also serves as his manager, did not use an NFLPA-certified agent. Jackson explained a posture for negotiations that effectively required him to completely compartmentalize his position as quarterback.

In recent weeks, Jackson has talked about contract terms and structure and referred to himself as "just a business man — nothing more, nothing less." He occasionally even referred to himself in the third person, as if to emphasize the distance.

Expect a different-looking Ravens offense

After the talks are over, Jackson will focus on the work required to move closer to the "ultimate" objective of winning the Super Bowl.

He claimed on Thursday that his knee had been fully recovered for almost a month. On January 2, Jackson tweeted that he had "suffered a PCL grade 2 sprain on the borderline of a strain 3." Jackson responded, "Yeah, I passed," when asked whether he had received a medical clearance. When asked if his knee was in excellent shape, he replied, "I'm great."

The next step is learning the offensive system of new offensive coordinator Todd Monken and getting along with new receivers like three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr. and 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers.

Jackson claimed to have gotten the revised playbook and his iPad a few days earlier. Expect a different attack from Greg Roman's, one that probably places a greater emphasis on the passing game.

"I heard from our guys that the offense is looking pretty smooth," Jackson said. And from what I can see, it appears different, and so far, I like it.

The joy will ultimately wear off as pressure to fulfill contract obligations and the return to work gradually take the place of the deal adrenaline. The two main criticisms of Jackson's request for complete guarantees—his health in the latter stages of seasons and his lack of postseason success—will be given more attention.

Jackson will carry on then using the guiding principles that, in his own words, served as his bargaining strategy: He said, "I didn't really do this to disprove anyone." If anything, I needed to establish my innocence.

He yearns to back up his 2018 claim and bring Baltimore its first Super Bowl triumph since the 2012 campaign. Jackson has played in four postseason contests, losing three of them. Jackson, the quarterback, has, in fact. Jackson in Baltimore is the last survivor. "I really want to finish my career here," he declared. "I want to win the Super Bowl here."