Lamar Jackson Nov 20, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh greats Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after scoring a second half touchdown against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday afternoon, the NFL world was dealt quite a shock when former MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson revealed in a series of tweets that he requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens earlier this month. And apparently, the fans and media weren’t the only ones surprised by the sudden announcement – Ravens coach John Harbaugh was, too.

Coincidentally or not, the announcement from Lamar Jackson came at the exact same time that head coach John Harbaugh was conducting his press conference at the NFL’s league meetings. Harbaugh revealed that he was caught completely off-guard by Jackson’s tweet and hadn’t seen it before the press conference, but he responded to it, nonetheless.

Even though Jackson requested a trade, Harbaugh sounds confident that Jackson will still be the team’s starting quarterback this season.

“It’s an ongoing process,” Harbaugh said. “I’m following it very closely, just like everybody else who’s here. Looking forward to a resolution. I’m excited – thinking about Lamar all the time, thinking about him as our quarterback. We’re building our offense around that idea. I’m just looking forward to getting back to football and I’m confident it’s going to happen.”

Harbaugh was then asked if he thinks Jackson will be his starting quarterback this upcoming season and he had quite a blunt response: “I do.”

We’ll have to see how this whole situation plays out.

[Baltimore Ravens]