Ravens HC John Harbaugh defends Lamar Jackson for missing playoff game

As the Ravens continue to grapple with how to handle the former MVP's future with the organization, some fans and analysts point to January's missed AFC wild-card game as a reason to trade him, or at least why not to give him a massive contract extension.

Jackson missed the final four-plus contests of the regular season and the playoff tilt due to a sprained PCL, after it was reported that he'd only miss one-to-three weeks following the Week 13 injury.

The 26-year-old was an early MVP candidate last fall after collecting 10 touchdown passes and two rushing scores through the first three weeks of the season, but only had seven touchdown tosses (and five interceptions), along with just one rushing touchdown the rest of the way.

It was reported in early February that Baltimore was expected to franchise tag Jackson and it would likely be under the exclusive franchise tag, enabling the franchise to "set the price" for a potential trade down the road. The franchise tag window opened last week and will close on Tuesday.

Whether the two-time Pro Bowler returns to the AFC North club may have a heavy impact on if the Ravens can bring in big-name free agents. When cornerback Marlon Humphrey tried recruiting players to join Baltimore at the Pro Bowl games in February, he said he was asked multiple times "are y'all gonna pay Lamar?"