Odell Beckham Jr. “didn’t get any assurances” about Lamar Jackson’s future as the Ravens quarterback in 2023 upon the wide receiver’s decision to sign with Baltimore in NFL free agency.
Speaking Thursday at his introductory press conference, Beckham — who agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $18 million with the Ravens on Sunday — discussed Jackson, who requested a trade out of Baltimore in March amid an ongoing contract dispute.
“Didn’t get any assurances for anything, you know life’s uncertain,” Beckham said.
“I think that we don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, or the next day. We only know what’s happened in the past.”
It’s been a rocky few months for the Ravens and Jackson, 26.
Jackson is seeking a long-term deal, but guaranteed money appears to be the sticking point.
In a message posted on social media last month, the former league MVP revealed he had requested a trade from the Ravens.
Five days after Jackson said he requested a trade, the team placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on him.
“As of March 2nd I requested a trade from the Ravens organization for which the Ravens has not been interested in meeting my value, any and everyone that’s has met me or been around me know I love the game of football and my dream is to help a team win the super bowl,” the 26-year-old Jackson wrote at the time.
“You all are great but I had to make a business decision that was best for my family and I. No matter how far I go or where my career takes me, I’ll continue to be close to my fans of Baltimore Flock nation and the entire State of Maryland. You’ll See me again.”
The Ravens and Jackson have until July 17 to negotiate a long-term deal before the quarterback would have to play on the tag for the 2023 season.
Despite the uncertainty in Baltimore, Jackson has been bonding with Beckham, 30, elsewhere.
Read Related Also: The Morning Briefing: That Noise You Hear Is the ChiComs Laughing at Pudding Brain Biden
The veteran wideout — who missed all of the 2022 season as he recovered from a torn ACL sustained in the Super Bowl that year — partied in Miami with Jackson over the weekend.
Beckham added in Thursday’s press conference how “the goal was to come here and have that possibility to play with [Jackson].”
“As far as the team, ready to bring leadership… I’ve been out for a long time, I had to sit there and watch everyone else play and I’m just excited to get back on the field.”
Though Beckham was heavily linked to the Jets this offseason — and rumored to be on the “wish list” of the team’s potential future quarterback, Aaron Rodgers — he’s grateful to have landed in Baltimore.
“It’s good to be where you’re wanted,” Beckham said.
“You guys showed me that you wanted me to be here and that I was going to be a very big piece to this organization.”
Beckham also gave Jackson a shoutout as he took questions from the media.
“Lamar, if you’re watching, I would love to work with you,” he said.
Beckham spent the 2021 season with the Rams, where he won his first Super Bowl title.
He was originally drafted by the Giants in 2014 and was traded to the Browns five years later.
In eight regular-season games with the Rams after he was traded by the Browns during that 2021 season, Beckham had 27 catches for 305 yards and five touchdowns.
In four playoff games for the Rams, Beckham had 21 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns, including a 17-yard touchdown in the Super Bowl.
