Ravens vs Bills opener Lamar Jackson focused amid contract talks

Lamar Jackson said he is "just getting started" as the Baltimore Ravens prepare to open their season Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills, brushing off questions about a new contract and insisting his focus is squarely on the field in Buffalo. The two-time MVP, 28, arrived at the podium Wednesday still without an extension but said he is confident a deal will come and that his attention is on preparing for the Bills.

Jackson has been one of the NFL's most productive players in recent seasons. Last year he completed 316 of 474 passes for 4,172 yards and a career-high 41 touchdowns with only four interceptions, while also rushing 139 times for 915 yards. He was named a first-team All-Pro even as the MVP vote split narrowly in favor of Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, who received 27 first-place votes to Jackson's 23 in one of the closest tallies since 2016. Jackson said he accepted the outcome, telling reporters, "The voters chose who they wanted to pick. It is what it is."

Contract negotiations have been a recurring storyline this offseason. General manager Eric DeCosta said last week that talks with Jackson are ongoing but shared no further details. Jackson repeatedly...