BALTIMORE — Has Lamar Jackson taken his last snap in a Ravens uniform?

That provocative question has circulated among a portion of Baltimore’s fan base over the past week, as another injury, this time a damaged thumb, clouds the quarterback’s season and an unresolved contract situation invites speculation about his future.

After watching Thursday’s wet, muggy 33-10 drubbing by the visiting Jaguars, I have a question of my own.

Why would anyone be eager to see what life without Jackson looks like in Baltimore?

One thing is certain: Ravens football without Jackson is a complete drag. Fans should be rooting for him and the team to reach a new contractual agreement this offseason, even as the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player’s recent availability, along with the memory of the team’s last contentious negotiation with Jackson, give them legitimate reasons to worry.

Jackson’s absences with hamstring, back, ankle and thumb injuries over the past two seasons belong in any assessment of his future. Baltimore can recognize his extraordinary talent and still question whether it can count on having him for enough of the season.

But switching quarterbacks doesn’t buy immunity from the injury report. Just look across the league. Baltimore is hardly alone battling uncertainty at the sport’s most important position.

According to the Associated Press, if Philadelphia’s Joe Milton and Cleveland’s Shedeur Sanders start as expected this week, joining Fagnano, the NFL will have used 46 starting quarterbacks this season, tied for the second most through nine weeks in the past 16 seasons. Only 2019, with 48, had more.

The Ravens know what a healthy Jackson makes possible. The offense, under first-year coordinator Declan Doyle, erupted for 41 points in the opener at Indianapolis and scored 31 against Dallas in Rio.

Compare that explosiveness with Thursday’s dud at home. Trailing 20-3 in the third quarter, Baltimore again snapped the ball to Derrick Henry, who handed it to Zay Flowers on an end-around that gained a single yard. The video boards showed a seemingly disinterested Flowers, his body language matching the mood of a miserable evening.

Anybody watching could relate.

Jackson’s absence from the starting lineup doesn’t excuse veteran mistakes, presnap penalties or a defense that continues to disappoint. Without him, no one can cover for his teammates’ faults.

After cycling through Tyler Huntley and Fagnano, then adding Austin Reed and Kedon Slovis for depth, the Ravens are now expected to turn to veteran Jacoby Brissett. The revolving door at quarterback shows just how desperate Baltimore has become to keep a disappointing season afloat with Jackson out.

Jackson, 29, remains under contract through 2027 on the five-year, $260 million deal he signed in 2023. His salary cap charge is scheduled to exceed $84 million next year — more than a quarter of the projected league salary cap — severely constraining Baltimore’s ability to improve the roster around him.

Another restructure could provide relief, but Baltimore already took that route this spring, creating breathing room for 2026 while increasing the bill for 2027.

At some point, the sides need to resolve the big question.

Back in March 2023, Jackson disclosed on Twitter, now X, that he had requested a trade, citing Baltimore’s unwillingness to meet his value. The Ravens used the nonexclusive franchise tag before eventually reaching the deal that made him the NFL’s highest-paid player. Getting there tested everyone’s patience. It’s reasonable to expect Jackson to seek that distinction again in his next contract.

Pretending that history never happened would be dishonest.

This looming negotiation comes with a significant difference: Baltimore cannot fall back on the franchise tag.

Jackson secured a no-tag provision and a no-trade clause in his current deal. The Ravens cannot trade the South Florida native without his consent or use the franchise or transition tag to keep him from reaching free agency after the 2027 season. Without an agent, he negotiated control over his future, and Baltimore must work within those terms.

Jackson has since added a second NFL MVP award and gained more experience leading the franchise and working with general manager Eric DeCosta.

For what it’s worth, first-year coach Jesse Minter has already made the team’s position clear. Asked earlier in the week whether he had considered the possibility that Jackson had played his final game in a Ravens uniform, Minter offered a one-word response: “No.”

That confidence is encouraging, even if the decision ultimately rests with Jackson and the front office.

Waiting things out could benefit Jackson financially. Chicago’s Caleb Williams and New England’s Drake Maye become eligible for extensions after this season, potentially raising the quarterback market. If Jackson, who turns 30 in January, is seeking another record-setting deal, he has good reason to see where those negotiations lead.

After Thursday’s defeat, veteran tight end Mark Andrews described exactly what Baltimore was missing.

“Lamar is incredible,” Andrews said. “He is obviously going to be sorely missed. He’s such a special player and a leader on this team, and has been for a long, long time.”

Andrews also insisted his teammates could deliver a better product with Jackson sidelined. He’s right. Even without their two-time MVP, the Ravens should be able to play considerably better football than they’ve shown in his absence.

The Ravens need to fix what surrounds him. Jackson needs to get healthy. This offseason, both sides should work toward another chance together.

The past four games have offered a miserable glimpse of what the Ravens risk losing if Jackson’s future lies elsewhere.

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