The Baltimore Ravens have been and continue to be a big problem for the Cleveland Browns. Lamar Jackson might struggle some in the playoffs, but even the most avid Browns fan has to admit that he's one of the best quarterbacks in the game.
That's why the thought of not having him in the AFC North should be mouthwatering for Todd Monken and company.
This time, however, his presence in Baltimore might actually help the Browns more than ever.
There's no end in sight for yet another contract saga, and with the clock ticking and the season opener just around the corner, Jackson's situation could become a huge distraction at the worst possible time.
The longer Jackson goes without a new deal, the more uncomfortable things could get in Baltimore
According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, Jackson is preparing to play without a new deal. That also leaves the door open for a trade request after the season.
The Ravens dug themselves into a hole with his restructured contract, and they've already burned some bridges with Jackson, who's famously a tough bargainer who represents himself without an agent.
"It's no surprise this negotiation is void of many details," Fowler wrote. "But the league sentiment is this: Jackson has massive leverage and appears ready to use it, which means the chances of him playing out 2026 without an extension could grow by the day."
But why does that matter?
The longer this goes without an extension, the more it becomes a PR problem for the Ravens. It's fan turmoil. It's the media — both national and local — pushing for answers and spreading narratives. It's people fabricating rumors, memes, and scrutinizing every win and every loss like never before.
The Ravens have already gone through this with Jackson, and they'll now make a first-year head coach go through this unnecessary drama. Jesse Minter has enough on his plate as it is, and this situation could snowball quickly, especially if Baltimore fails to meet its lofty expectations this season.
The Ravens might be the most overrated Super Bowl contender in the league right now, and we've already seen them fall flat time and time again. This behind-the-scenes distraction is the last thing they need in Year 1 of the post-John Harbaugh era.
Jackson has all the leverage in this situation, but with all due respect, he hasn't necessarily stepped up in high-stakes moments on the field. One can only wonder whether he has the mental fortitude to deal with this situation for a full season without allowing it to negatively impact his play.
Of course, the Browns still have to do their jobs and take them down on the field. Everything else is just gossip at this point. But sometimes, these situations mark the beginning of the end.
History isn't exactly on the Ravens' side here. Jackson has full control of his destiny, and after an increasingly complicated contract relationship with his team, the Browns may not have to worry about the best quarterback in the AFC North for much longer after 2026.
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