Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh - Lamar Jackson 'locked in' amid contract talks

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Less than a week before the season opener, quarterback Lamar Jackson was throwing passes on the practice field Monday for the Baltimore Ravens, showing once again that he's focused on playing for the Ravens this season despite no contract extension.

After Monday's practice, Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked whether there's ever been a discussion that Jackson would hold out and not play this season without a new deal.

«No,» Harbaugh said before adding, «Lamar has said he's focused on the season, he's under contract and he's going to have the best season he can have. He's hopeful to get a new contract and we're hopeful to get him a new contract. All the rest of it is business. There is nothing other than coming to something that is mutually agreeable.»

Jackson missed the voluntary workouts this spring for the first time in his five-year career, but the former NFL MVP reported on time for training camp and didn't miss a practice all summer.

Harbaugh is unaware whether talks between the Ravens and Jackson have been suspended. Last month, Jackson said Week 1 would be the cutoff point in negotiations until the end of the regular season.

«I don't have any updates,» Harbaugh said. «My interactions with Lamar have been all football. He's been focused and locked in on that, 100 percent, from a football standpoint.»

Jackson is one of the few players in the NFL without an agent and represents himself. He is expected to talk to reporters on Wednesday.

Neither Jackson nor Ravens officials have ever hinted at any animosity in negotiations, which is why Harbaugh said you don't hear about «conflicting reports.»

«He's hopeful to get a new contract; we're hopeful to get him a new contract,» Harbaugh said. «But all