Disgruntled star sends clear message to Ravens

Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins returned to practice last week after what seemed like a contract holdout.

And while Dobbins didn’t want to talk too much about the specifics regarding his absence from the team, he did make it clear that he wants to stay with the franchise for a long time.

When asked about his absence from preseason training camp, J.K. Dobbins first said “that’s a tough question,” but later elaborated a little bit, as well as explaining why he ultimately decided to return. “I was just being cautious,” Dobbins said Wednesday according to ESPN.

“I want to be there for my teammates, and that’s all it was. My teammates understood what was going on. So, it’s all good now. I’m out here.”

Dobbins is in the last year of his rookie contract and was presumably seeking a new contract that would pay him more money.

But even if that’s not going to happen this offseason, he made it clear that he still wants to stay in Baltimore for the long run. “Mr. Eric [DeCosta], he’s the best G.M. — the best G.M. in the game,” Dobbins said. “He’ll get it worked out. Whatever happens, happens. He’s going to get it worked out. We have good conversations.

“It is what it is. In the time being, I’m going to go out there and play and do good. Hopefully, I’m playing for the Ravens for the rest of my life, in my football career.” We’ll have to see if that ends up a real possibility for Dobbins.