Jackson, Ravens excited to move on

That much seemed clear after the star quarterback fielded questions for the first time since agreeing to a five-year, $260 million deal.

“I absolutely wanted to get it done. I was just tired of going back and forth about it,” Jackson said Thursday. “We’ve been doing it for years. The time had come. The numbers were right.”

A week after announcing the agreement, the Ravens held a news conference with Jackson, coach John Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta.

It was an understandably upbeat occasion after several days of excitement and relief in Baltimore.

Jackson didn’t offer any major details about what suddenly clicked between him and the team, but there’s now plenty of optimism as the Ravens look forward to a future with one of the game’s most dynamic players.

“It has been a long wait, but I think we were all in the same place all along, and we’re all in the same place going forward,” Harbaugh said. “Can’t wait to get to work.”

Jackson played out his rookie contract, and then the team used the franchise tag on him in March. About three weeks after that, he announced that he’d requested a trade before the team tagged him. Then a month after that announcement, he was staying in Baltimore after agreeing to the new deal.

The Washington Commanders say they are supporting efforts by the District of Columbia to get control of the RFK Stadium site that used to be the NFL team’s home.

A team spokesperson said Thursday officials are communicating with stakeholders at the federal and local levels about the RFK site.

“(We are) sharing our vision for a potential venue at that will create jobs and economic growth for the region and be compatible with the surrounding community and the elected leaders of the District,” the spokesperson said in a statement sent to The Associated Press.

The land less than roughly 2 miles (3.22 kilometers) east of the U.S. Capitol is currently owned by the federal government, and congressional control is one of the biggest obstacles to potentially building a new state-of-the-art football stadium on the site, the future of which has been a matter of considerable debate.

Several D.C. City Council members last year voiced their opposition to building a stadium there, something mayor Muriel Bowser has supported. A message sent to Bowser’s office seeking comment was not immediately returned.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Get the shovels out, because the Buffalo Bills can finally begin breaking ground on their 60,000-plus seat, $1.54 billion new stadium after the project received unanimous approval from the Erie County legislature on Thursday.

The 10-0 vote was the final formal step in a lengthy process that was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and comes some 13 months after the parameters of an agreement were reached with taxpayers committed to funding $850 million of the cost.

The new stadium is to be built across the street from the Bills current home in Orchard Park, New York, and on track to be completed in time for the start of the 2026 season.

“Well, we’ve got people working out there today, is that fast enough?” Bills executive vice president and COO Ron Raccuia told The Associated Press by phone when asked how quickly construction can begin.

“It’s exciting. We’ve concluded successfully one major part of this project and now we get to go and completely turn our attention to construction and opening the new stadium for the 2026 season,” Raccuia added. “I don’t know about doubts, but it took its twists and turns. But we were all committed to making this happen.”

The agreement includes a 30-year lease that essentially helps secure the Bills to continue playing in one of the NFL’s smallest markets, something that was a concern in 2014, following the death of Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson, who founded the franchise in 1960.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A three-time Pro Bowl left tackle released by the Tennessee Titans in February over a failed physical issue is suing renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews for medical malpractice for the October 2020 surgery repairing his torn right ACL leaving him with “severe and permanent” damage.

Attorneys for Taylor Lewan filed the lawsuit Tuesday night in circuit court in Escambia County, Florida.

Others named as defendants are Benjamin Sherman, Baptist Health Care, Baptist Medical Group along with the Andrews Institute.

The lawsuit accuses the defendants of an improper repair that caused “permanent injury to his right knee, and surrounding structures, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments” and cutting Lewan’s NFL career short as a result of “negligent acts and omissions.”

RAVENS: A person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press that the New York Giants and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence have agreed to terms on a four-year, $90 million contract extension. Lawrence had not participated in the team’s voluntary offseason workouts while waiting for the deal that was agreed upon Thursday, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Giants had not announced the extension. The deal averages $22.5 million per year, tying Lawrence with Washington’s Daron Payne as the third-highest paid defensive tackle in the league based on annual salary.

RAMS: Los Angeles signed quarterback Brett Rypien. Rypien spent his first four NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos, passing for 778 yards in eight appearances with four touchdown passes and eight interceptions.

CHIEFS: Kansas City signed offensive tackle Donovan Smith to a contract for the upcoming season Thursday, adding a veteran to compete for playing time with two open jobs on the offensive line. The Chiefs were unable to sign franchise left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to a long-term deal, allowing him to become a free agent, and right tackle Andrew Wylie also signed elsewhere in free agency.

BROWNS: Cleveland added needed experience and depth to their secondary, agreeing on a one-year contract with veteran free agent safety Rodney McLeod. The 32-year-old McLeod has started 138 games in his NFL career.