Lamar Jackson reveals motivation behind picking professional football as a career: "I knew I wanted to be rich"
Lamar Jackson was like many kids growing up. They wanted the glory that came with playing in the NFL, but they also wanted the big paychecks. Jackson was no different. In an interview with GQ, Jackson spoke about his motivation to join the NFL:
"I knew I wanted to be rich and for my people to be well-off. I don’t want to be around chaos. My friends were grown-ass men. [When we were] 12 and 13, they were already doing shit like the older guys. Hell nah.
"When my old friends got in trouble and I’d see that they got five years, I’m like, ‘What the f**k? What the hell he did?’ Robbery. I’m like, ‘I don’t want money that bad. I can wait.'"
And wait he did. While the quarterback got through college on his talent, he was forced to wait in the NFL Draft. As the final pick of the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the quarterback was subjected to wait the entire first night. The Ravens traded back into the first round to get the quarterback.
After working through his rookie deal with the Ravens, the quarterback then eventually logged his first big-time money deal in 2023.
Lamar Jackson's net worth and current contract situation leaves QB with few worries
In 2024, aside from the pressure to hold up his end of the bargain, Jackson has few other worries. Financially, the 27-year-old quarterback is set for life, with plenty of more money on the way.
Currently, the quarterback has a net worth of more than $100 million at $100.5 million, per Forbes. Most expect it to climb with the current deal with the Baltimore Ravens running through the 2027 season. Assuming he doesn't completely implode, more contracts are likely on deck beyond this one.
Lamar Jackson's current deal is worth $260 million, per Spotrac. He could have about $350 million in net worth by the end of the 2027 season. Of course, with a net worth like that, most of the money likely would be spent in investments designed to grow over time.
Lamar Jackson is set to play his first game of the 2024 season on Thursday against Patrick Mahomes in his first big test of the year since January.