In a surprising turn of events, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been named the NFL's Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career. The announcement came at Thursday's NFL Honors show, where fans and analysts had been eagerly anticipating Jackson's stage appearance. At just 27 years old, he now holds the title of the league's youngest two-time MVP since the merger.

The path leading up to this moment was far from smooth for Jackson and the Ravens. In fact, the low point of their contract negotiations came when Jackson requested a trade, throwing Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta off guard during the NFL combine in Indianapolis. However, both parties managed to find common ground and reach a mutual agreement just hours before the draft on April 27.

Jackson signed a lucrative five-year, $260 million deal with Baltimore, solidifying his commitment to the team. He then went on to lead the Ravens to an impressive 13-4 record during the regular season, making them the best team in the league. However, their postseason journey ended in disappointment as they fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, bringing Jackson's playoff record to 2-4.

The uncertainty surrounding Jackson's future during the contract negotiations left his teammates in a state of panic. Many wondered if he would be traded to another team or even choose to sit out the 2023 season. Fortunately, those concerns were put to rest when Jackson reaffirmed his commitment to the Ravens.

Interestingly, during the rough offseason, a turning point occurred when Ravens vice president of football administration, Nick Matteo, received a counteroffer from Odell Beckham Jr.'s agent. The team saw potential in signing Beckham, which they believed would influence Jackson to stay. Ultimately, the Ravens struck a deal with Beckham, solidifying their receiving corps and sending a clear message to Jackson.

The Eagles' Jalen Hurts signing a five-year, $255 million extension also played a role in pushing Jackson's contract negotiations forward. The Ravens management felt the need to surpass Hurts' deal, leading to the final agreement with Jackson, which surpassed Hurts' contract by $5 million.

Though Jackson's MVP status speaks to his individual excellence on the field, the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl still eludes him. The Ravens' loss to the Chiefs in the playoffs only intensified the scrutiny surrounding Jackson's ability to lead his team to a championship victory.

Despite the disappointment, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh remains steadfast in his belief in Jackson's abilities and leadership. He considers Jackson a phenomenal success, both as a football player and as a person, and is excited about the future with him on the team.

The impact of Jackson's contract on the Ravens' roster and salary cap will pose challenges in the team's future endeavors. However, there is no denying that with Jackson's presence on the field, the Ravens have proven to be a winning team, and that is a foundation they will build upon moving forward.

As Baltimore celebrates Jackson's second MVP win, the focus now shifts to the upcoming season and whether he can finally guide the Ravens to the elusive Super Bowl victory they so desire.