OTL: Lamar Jackson on Minter, Harbs Firing, Contract, & More

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson addressed the media yesterday following the team’s second OTA session of the week, giving his thoughts on a multitude of topics. The two-time MVP enters 2026 with a new coaching staff for the first time in his career, with many questions surrounding the final two years on his deal in Baltimore. In his first media session of the new year, Jackson was quite open with his feelings on the new system, his up-and-down 2025 campaign, and the departure of John Harbaugh.

“A Breath of Fresh Air”

Jackson is set to enter his 9th-season in the NFL, and his first with a new coaching staff, following the hiring of Jesse Minter this offseason. For a new coach, taking over a team with so many established personalities and reputations can often lead to disgruntled feelings. However, all signs point to nothing but love and excitement for Minter, with Jackson confirming his feelings yesterday to the Baltimore media.

When asked what his first impressions of Minter were, Jackson stated, “he’s a cool dude. Cool coach. Always has a smile on his face.” The positive -yet competitive- mantra that Minter has brought to Baltimore has been a consistent positive statement amongst players. Getting the best out of Lamar Jackson, while respecting what he’s accomplished up to this point, will be a large factor in the two succeeding together as a QB/HC duo.

Jackson called the changes this offseason “a breath of fresh air,” tying it to just how “new” everything is offensively. New weapons, a new offensive coordinator, and a new head coach.

Time will tell just how effective this new offensive system is for the Ravens and their established stars.

Jackson’s 2025 Injuries Lead to His Down Year

It’s not shocking to hear, but nice to get confirmed, just how much Jackson’s injuries affected his 2025 performance. Through three weeks, Jackson totaled 722 passing yards, 9 passing TDs, 0 INTs, 118 rushing yards, and a TD on the ground, before a hamstring injury would essentially derail his season in Week 4.

When speaking of his injuries last season, Jackson revealed that the hamstring tightness began towards the end of the Week 3 loss to the Lions, before ultimately knocking him out of the second half of their Week 4 game against the Chiefs, and the next three games as well. Following his return, Jackson never quite got back to his normal self. Injuries began to pile up for the three-time All-Pro, as toe, ankle, foot, and back injuries piled on as the season continued.

Lamar finished the 2025 season with 2,549 passing yards, 21 TDs, and 7 INTs, just a season removed from an MVP runner-up campaign in 2024.

Jackson Speaks on Harbaugh Firing

Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh spent eight seasons together before the Super Bowl-winning head coach was let go this past January. Jackson and Harbaugh combined for a record of 76-31 (.710) in the regular season and 3-5 in the postseason. Since Lamar entered the league in 2018, the two have reached an AFC title game, with Jackson bringing home two MVPs and three All-Pros. Regardless of how things played out on the field, there never seemed to be anything but a mutual respect between the two.

Jackson confirmed those thoughts when speaking to the media about the firing for the first time. Lamar gave his reaction by stating, “I got a lot of respect for Coach, so seeing that, I was shocked in a way, in a sense. But I feel like Mr. Steve did what he thought was best for the team, and I hope Coach has a great, great time in New York.” Jackson is aware of the success the two had together, saying, “Hats off to coach because we did so much for the city, the team, and the organization. We built a lot.”

There’s no denying the positive difference both Jackson and Harbaugh established off the field in Baltimore. They may have never reached the mountaintop together, but Jackson and Harbaugh were arguably one of the best QB/HC duos over the last few seasons.

As of now, Harbaugh isn’t set to return to Baltimore until the 2028 season.

Jackson Gives His Feelings on Contract Talks

It’s a conversation I’d imagine both Lamar Jackson and Ravens fans as a whole are sick of listening to. Contract extension talks, bogus trade speculation, and thoughts on Jackson’s loyalty to Baltimore seem like a never-ending cycle in the sports media world. Per usual, Jackson was faced with those same questions again on Wednesday, giving his thoughts on the subject. As he always does, Jackson elected to keep the topic of his contract extension talks private, but was not shy about his response when asked if he sees himself in Baltimore long-term.

Jackson replied, “Absolutely, I love the Ravens, I love this organization, I love this city. This is the team that drafted me-I love Baltimore, everybody should have known that by now.”

Jackson and the Ravens agreed on a contract restructure this offseason, freeing up roughly $40 million in cap space, adding a void year but increasing his 2027 cap hit. The Ravens are hopeful to get a deal done with Lamar, who has two seasons remaining on his deal, with a cap hit of $84.34 million next year, the second-highest in the league.

His comments yesterday have left Ravens fans feeling positive about a potential extension being signed, but it remains nothing but hope for now until pen touches paper.

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/05/28/out-to-lunch/otl-lamar-jackson-on-minter-harbs-firing-contract-more/