Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has sent shockwaves through the NFL by refusing to confirm his future with the franchise following a season-ending defeat that shattered their playoff dreams.
Season ends in crushing Steelers defeat
The Ravens' 2025 campaign came to a brutal conclusion with a 26-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. The game ended in dramatic fashion when kicker Tyler Loop missed a potential game-winning field goal as time expired. This result means Baltimore will miss the postseason for the first time since 2021, extending their agonising wait for a Super Bowl appearance beyond their last championship victory in 2012.
Jackson 'stunned' and non-committal on future
In the immediate, emotional aftermath of the loss, a visibly devastated Lamar Jackson was asked by reporters if he would be back with the Ravens for the 2026 season. The star quarterback, who signed a historic five-year, $260million contract in May 2023, pointedly declined to answer.
"We just lost a game, a divisional game, a game to put us in the playoffs," Jackson stated, according to NBC's Pro Football Talk. "I’m not even thinking about that right now, to be honest with you. I’m still caught up in what just happened. That’s not my focus right now."
When pressed further on whether he wanted head coach John Harbaugh to remain in charge, the 28-year-old gave a similarly evasive response, emphasising his shock at the defeat. "You’re asking me about next year. I’m so caught up in what just happened tonight, I can’t focus on that right now. I just told you. I’m stunned right now. I’m still trying to process what’s going on."
Pressure mounts after playoff failure
The playoff disaster has piled immense pressure on the entire Ravens organisation, but particularly on head coach John Harbaugh and his superstar quarterback. Despite Jackson's stellar individual season—completing 192 of 302 passes for 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, plus 349 rushing yards—the team fell short of the postseason.
Jackson, the four-time Pro Bowler, three-time First-team All-Pro, and two-time NFL MVP, has yet to lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl in his eight seasons since being drafted 32nd overall in 2018. While many analysts argue the team's shortcomings are not his fault, his non-committal stance on his future will fuel intense speculation about his long-term commitment to Baltimore as the franchise seeks to end its championship drought.
