Lamar Jackson created a stir over the weekend with his social media activities. He says the people who tried to interpret what he did got it twisted.
Jackson denied that his new "I need $" avatar and header on Instagram and Twitter, respectively, are signs of dissatisfaction with the Ravens over contract negotiations. Rather, the star quarterback claims, he was just showcasing a favorite movie character.
Specifically, the character I Need Money from the Method Man-Redman film "How High," which Jackson said he had just watched.
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"They’re making it seem like I’m talking to the Ravens when I’m not," Jackson told USA Today on Saturday at a youth event in Florida that he hosted. "Our contract discussion is going on already. But it ain’t about that though. I’m not putting my business life on social media. I won’t ever do that. I won’t put my personal life on social media. I’ll show stuff, but I won’t throw subliminal [messages] out. That’s not me."
Jackson, 25, is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Ravens previously exercising their fifth-year option. He is scheduled to make $23 million this season.
He told USA Today that he is hopeful a deal can get done before the start of training camp, which begins July 26. He also played down the idea of a camp holdout.
"I don't have that on my mind," he said. Jackson skipped voluntary organized team activities but took part in the team's mandatory minicamp this offseason.
The Ravens made the playoffs in each of Jackson's first three NFL seasons before missing them in 2021. Jackson sat out Baltimore's final four games, all losses, with a bone bruise in his ankle. The 2019 NFL MVP missed the Ravens' Week 11 victory over the Bears because of an illness.
