A ‘stunned’ Lamar Jackson refused to confirm he will be back with the Baltimore Ravens in 2026 after their season-ending defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jackson and the Ravens have failed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2021 following a crushing 26-24 loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh, where kicker Tyler Loop missed a potential game-winning field goal at the death.
It means Baltimore will be spectators in the postseason as their wait for a first Super Bowl appearance or victory since their championship-winning year in 2012 goes on.
And as well as piling the pressure on head coach John Harbaugh, their playoff disaster has also cast major doubt over the future of star quarterback Jackson.
The four-time Pro Bowler, three-time First-team All-Pro and two-time NFL MVP was asked by reporters after Sunday’s loss to the Steelers if he will be staying in Baltimore next season, but chose not to answer amid his devastation with the result.
‘We just lost a game, a divisional game, a game to put us in the playoffs,’ he said, according to NBC’s Pro Football Talk.
Lamar Jackson has refused to confirm he will be back with the Baltimore Ravens in 2026
The Ravens quarterback was left devastated after their season-ending defeat to the Steelers
Jackson also refused to answer when asked if he wants John Harbaugh (left) to remain coach
‘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.’
Jackson also said he couldn’t answer when asked if he wants to see Harbaugh return as Ravens head coach in 2026.
‘You’re asking me about next year,’ the 28-year-old responded. ‘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.’
Jackson, who was taken 32nd overall by the Ravens in the first round of the 2018 draft, is yet to make it to a Super Bowl after eight seasons in Baltimore.
Many are adamant that is not the former Louisville star’s fault, given he has established himself as one of the NFL’s leading quarterbacks over the past decade.
Jackson signed a historic five-year, $260million contract with the Ravens in May 2023, which made him the highest-paid player in the NFL at the time.
This season he completed 192 of his 302 passes for 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions as Baltimore failed to reach the playoffs, as well as 67 carries for 349 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
