Why Lamar Jackson is skipping Ravens OTAs as contract mystery lingers into summer

Lamar Jackson is not at Ravens Richard Seymour Jersey OTAs this offseason, and that has led many to question his future in Baltimore.The 2019 NFL MVP has remained away from the team as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. At this time, there is no potential contract extension in sight for him.However, that doesn't appear to be on the Ravens' side of things. It has more to do with Jackson's side. The quarterback hasn't yet engaged in contract negotiations with the team, so many are wondering whether he wants to stay in Baltimore or not. In reality, he may just be looking to maximize the value of a new contract.What's going on with Jackson, and why isn't he at OTAs? The answers aren't fully clear, but here's what we know about the Ravens quarterback's future ahead of his fifth NFL season.MORE: Jackson hasn't provided a firm reason for his decision to skip Ravens OTAs. He tweeted on the first day of the activities that he "can't wait to get back" to the field, but didn't provide any more information.Cant wait to get back Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) It's important to note that OTAs are not mandatory. Plenty of veteran players acro s the NFL skip them to get more rest and relaxation during the offseason or to rehab injuries. Jackson dealt with an ankle injury that sidelined him for the last four weeks of the season, so perhaps he is just looking to ease back into action and work out at his own pace in the wake of that.There are a couple of other factors to consider regarding Jackson's absence. He appeared to be irked by Baltimore's , during the 2022 NFL Draft. That said, Jackson had spoken to Brown and knew that , so it's unlikely that the QB was caught off-guard by the move. Still, it could have upset him.Additionally, Jackson is in the final year of his rookie contract Rhamondre Stevenson Jersey with the Ravens, so dodging OTAs could be an attempt to exert leverage in negotiations. However, it has also been reported that Jackson isn't going to negotiate a contract , and his rookie contract, is over.MORE: Jackson may be trying to strategically take advantage of the quarterback market as he looks to agree to an extension. Quarterback salaries have continued to skyrocket over the last 15 years, and while Jackson probably could have inked a deal worth $40 million or more annually during the last two offseasons, the longer he waits, the more money he could be poised to make.And Jackson will still make a lot of money in the interim. If the Ravens want to keep him beyond the 2022 season but he isn't under contract, . Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti believes that may be Jackson's play to maximize his value, much like Kirk Cousins did in Washington and Minnesota."What if Lamar says that, I'll play on the fifth-year, I'll play on the franchise, I'll play on another franchise, then you can sign me," Bisciotti said in March, per . "That gives me three years to win a Super Bowl, so you can make me a $60 million quarterback, because that's where it will be four years from now. That might be the case."It seems that while Baltimore would prefer to sign him long-term now, the team might be open to that sort of arrangement.The tag is worth nearly $30 million in 2022 fully guaranteed, and it should be more expensive next offseason.And while Jackson is on the franchise tag, some other notable quarterbacks could eventually sign lucrative extensions. That would further drive up his price and potentially make him one of the highest-paid players in the league. He would stand a chance of making at least $50 million annually if he is patient.Bisciotti acknowledged that Jackson's contract situation is "unique" because he isn't worried about getting a big contract right away. He believes that Jackson is more focused on winning a championship than anything else."It's unique, because everybody expects you to say I've got to get mine now," Bisciotti said. "The kid is so obse sed with winning a Super Bowl, that I think deep down he doesn't think he's worthy. I think he wants that to say, 'Now I deserve to be on top.' I don't think he is turned on by money that much and he knows it's coming one way or the other."So, between his attitude and busine s savvy, Jackson wants to wait until at least 2023 to try to land a long-term deal.Jackson is in the final year of his rookie deal that he signed after the 2018 NFL Draft. The original deal was a four-year, $9.5 million contract but it has increased to a five-year, $32.5 million contract because the Ravens picked up his fifth-year option.Jackson is Ronnie Perkins Jersey set to make just over $23 millionin 2022. He has the ninth-highest cap hit among quarterbacks in 2022.Below is a full breakdown of Jackson's rookie deal, which is fully guaranteed.YearBase salarySigning bonusCap hitTotal value2018$480,000$1,242,117$1,722,117$1,722,1172019$910,529$1,242,117$3,013,708$3,013,7082020$1,341,059$1,242,117$3,013,708$3,013,7082021$1,771,588$1,242,120$3,013,708$3,013,7082022$23,016,000$23,016,000$23,016,000Total27,519,176$4,968,471$32,487,648$32,487,648MORE: While Jackson's OTA absence may concern some fans, the Ravens aren't yet worried about it. Coach John Harbaugh downplayed Jackson's absence at Wednesday's practice and said that he would let Jackson explain it to reporters himself when the time comes."We've been down this road many times through the years," Harbaugh said, per . "I'll just let Lamar speak for himself on that. It's for him to talk about. You can ask him."Harbaugh's comment wasn't meant as a dig at Jackson. The coach just wanted to defer to the quarterback's explanation to ensure that he doesn't mix up Jackson's me sage. Tre Nixon Jersey The quarterback spoke out Friday in a tweet responding to former NFL QB Chris Simms criticizing his absence by saying Tom Brady "didn't mi s an OTA until he had played in four Super Bowls."Lamar wants to be Lamar Chris. This part of OTAs is Voluntary my Guy I will be there, just not on your watch its probably other QBs not attending Voluntary OTAs either but since its Lamar its a huge deal. Find something else to talk about Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) Ravens president Sashi Brown had also noted earlier in the week that the workouts are not mandatory while reiterating that Jackson has expre sed a desire to stay with the Ravens before."Voluntary does mean voluntary," Brown explained, per . "Lamars been out working this offseason . . . so no, I dont think any reason for alarm. Hes been very vocal in terms of his support and desire to be Mike Vrabel Jersey in Baltimore. Were pleased thats hes out there working and not going to make a big deal out of this."So, the Ravens aren't worried about Jackson's OTA absence yet. But if it carries over to training camp, that would worry them.The Ravens would probably start to be a bit worried if Jackson didn't show up for training camp. Luckily, it doesn't seem like that is going to happen.Jackson's teammate Marlon Humphrey addre sed that po sibility when asked about Jackson's OTA absence. He acknowledged it would be "bad" but that he expected to see Jackson at the Ravens facility soon."If it was training camp, it'd be really bad," Humphrey said, per . "I think as long as guys are working, no matter where they are, that's the biggest key. I spoke with Lamar earlier in the offseason. He said he will be coming in soon."So, it seems like Jackson is planning a return. He just isn't attending OTAs. While that may worry some fans who are concerned that Jackson may leave Baltimore when his contract is done, he has repeatedly expre sed his desire to stay with the Ravens.I love my Ravens I dont know who the hell putting that false narrative out that Im having thoughts about leaving stop tryna read my mind Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) As such, it seems that Jackson's OTA absence isn't a big deal. Only if it lingers into July will the Ravens start to think about hitting the panic button.