The Facts: Jackson earned the starting job in Baltimore during his rookie year, dazzled the league and took home NFL MVP in his second season, and won his first playoff game in his third campaign. Is year four the one in which he gets a lucrative new contract? That's not as easy, it seems. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta spoke with reporters Tuesday and covered how the team aims to go about securing Jackson's services for the long haul. His main message was understandably simple: The Ravens love Jackson, but they're going to get it done on their time. "We're confident and committed to getting a long-term deal done," DeCosta said. "It may take a little time, but we're going to try."

Diehards Line:Jackson is essentially next up in the line of prominent quarterbacks due for big paydays after Dak Prescott agreed to terms on a four-year, $160 million deal to stay with the Cowboys. But unlike Prescott, the Ravens aren't quite up against the clock at this point, thanks to Baltimore's savvy decision to move into the first round and take Jackson with the 32nd pick, an act that gave the Ravens a chance to keep Jackson on a fifth-year option. Because of their differences in security and timeline, DeCosta said the Prescott deal doesn't affect how they'll approach re-signing Jackson. "We have a strategy and a relationship," DeCosta said. ... "It's up to us to get a deal done." The prevailing theme from all of this: the Ravens have some work to do to retain Jackson and other key members, and that's without even discussing April's draft and the upcoming free agency period, which opens next week. Baltimore's best ally, though, is time. "It's all about what's best for the club," DeCosta said. ... Bottom line? Jackson is going to get that deal. It's just a matter of when.