Ed Reed has a message for Ravens QB Lamar Jackson: Be smart, stay healthy

“He’s just got to be smart. I’m not telling him to play scared or anything, because I don’t think he’s gonna do that, but he has to be smart because it is a business and they will use that [expletive] against you whether you like it or not," said Reed.

"You can think these people love you. They’re showing their true colors right now. And it’s no shot at the Ravens because they are an organization that’s a business. It’s a business first. It’s the NFL and it’s football to the players and we love that, but it’s a business first to the league.”

Reed used himself as a comparison and how he changed the way he played toward the end of his rookie deal because it's a business and you "have to be smart about what you are doing."

Jackson is in the final year of his current contract and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after this season. He turned down a reported five-year, $250 million contract offer just before the season that included $133 million in guarantees. There will be no more negotiations during the season. If the two sides are unable to reach an agreement after this season it is likely the Ravens will franchise tag Jackson.

Through the Ravens' first three games Jackson has played at an MVP level, already accounting for 12 touchdowns (10 touchdown passes, two touchdown runs) for a Ravens team that is expected to be a top contender in the AFC.

Jackson missed five games due to an injury a year ago. In Reed's view, if something like that were to happen again it could impact the Ravens' next contract offer.