Lamar Jackson has tuned out the noise.Despite a rocky 2025, the Baltimore Ravens still have playoff hopes heading into the final week of the NFL regular season.Jackson has responded to speculation over his future ahead of a huge Week 18 gameGettyThey will head 250 miles northwest to Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, for a winner-takes-all clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers.If the Ravens escape the Steel City victorious, they will move onto the playoffs as AFC North champions. Lose, and the Steelers take the division.As far as Baltimore is concerned, the build-up to a massive Week 18 game has been dominated by speculation around Jackson’s future, and also his relationship with head coach John Harbaugh.The two-time MVP has been attacked in the press, with one column from Baltimore Sun writer Mike Preston making waves nationwide. In a piece published on December 23, two days after Jackson exited a loss to the New England Patriots with a back injury, Preston ultimately suggested the Ravens should consider trading their franchise quarterback.The reporter claimed there was a strained relationship between player and team over his diet, late-night video game sessions and habit of falling asleep during meetings.In the week that followed, the injured Jackson remained tight-lipped on that written attack and watched from the sidelines as Derrick Henry, one of the NFL’s greatest-ever running backs, put the team on his shoulders to keep playoff hopes alive against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17.On the eve of the season finale, he returned to practice, and took a moment to address the noise as he spoke to reporters.Lamar Jackson fires back at Baltimore Sun hit piece“I’ve heard I’ve been playing games at like 1 or 2 in the morning. I wouldn’t even do that in the summer,” Jackson said on Thursday.“I don’t know where that comes from.”Jackson has hit back at claims his relationship with the Ravens is strainedGettytalkSPORT reacts... Jackson cools trade talkLamar Jackson has torn into reports over his future and apparent fractured relationship with the Ravens.And, to be honest, I don’t blame him one bit. He sat and watched from the sidelines as national outlets ran with the idea that trouble is brewing behind-the-scenes. Now back in practice and in front of the press, he has ripped apart those original claims that came from the Baltimore Sun. The idea of Jackson leaving the Ravens is laughable. He makes the team a playoff contender every single season, and would be near impossible to replace. It would take many years for the team to find a duel-threat QB of his calibre to step into his shoes, so why on earth would the front office even consider trading him away? The Dolphins have been described as a potential destination for Jackson, but would HE really want to swap Baltimore for Miami?Sure, the weather is better, but the football is not. Jackson has been forced to wait to respond to what was written in the press last week, and perhaps that is why the noise has built up in recent days. But he has done the right thing, and dispelled any suggestion of a rift ahead of Week 18. That should come as no surprise to anyone.Jackson simply isn’t going anywhere. Oliver Browning, US Sports Writer.When pressed on the idea that he has been napping in meetings, the QB responded: “Do you think Harbaugh would let me fall asleep in meetings?“That’s crazy. I’m right in front. I don’t know, man. It is what it is. It’s just noise.”When asked specifically if he has a strong relationship with Coach Harbaugh, Jackson replied: “Yes. I don’t know where that stuff comes from.”Lamar Jackson makes Ravens decision amid trade talkMuch of the trade speculation around Jackson has centred on his failure to hit the same level he reached in 2024, and the fact that a clear destination has opened up.Jackson’s injury-laden campaign has seen him feature in 12 of 16 possible games, and he has thrown for 2,311 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2025.That is down drastically from last season, when he recorded 4,172 yards for a career-best 41 touchdowns and four interceptions.Jackson has faced an injury-hit 2025 season, and has played just 12 gamesGettyOne Baltimore journalist has claimed the QB has fallen out with his team and HCGettyJackson’s $260 million contract extension carries massive salary cap hits of $74.5m in both 2026 and 2027, which means the Ravens have a decision to make.They can restructure his deal, or consider moving him on, as some reports have suggested.Jackson, though, remains fully focused on Baltimore.When asked if he wants to continue playing for the Ravens, the QB responded: “Absolutely.NFL's Greatest......Ranking the top 10......Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and moreTight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?“We’ve got to focus on winning right now, so the contract talk will be after the season or whatever.“But during the season, I’m locked in.”Despite all the noise that has threatened to derail the Ravens, they are still alive heading into Week 18, and their playoff hopes are in their own hands.Jackson, too, is fully focused on beating Pittsburgh.Jackson and the Ravens are still hoping to make a playoff run this seasonGettyIf that happens, all the talk around his future, and the apparent behind-the-scenes issues, will quieten as Baltimore looks to put together a Super Bowl run.Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.