The silence surrounding Lamar Jackson is deafening. As the regular season quickly approaches and the Baltimore Ravens quarterback’s contract ticks toward its end, the front office remains tight-lipped about any negotiations to secure its most valuable asset.
Jackson’s current deal-a five-year, $260 million contract signed in 2023-locked him in through the 2027 season and, at the time, made him the highest-paid player in the NFL. He averages $52 million per year, with $135 million guaranteed.
With three years left, there may appear to be no rush. But history shows that negotiating with Jackson has never been quick or easy. And with recent megadeals signed by fellow quarterbacks, the bar has been raised-putting pressure squarely on GM Eric DeCosta.
No new deal in sight for Lamar
A recent ESPN report by insider Dan Graziano revealed that Baltimore is working on extensions for safety Kyle Hamilton, tight end Isaiah Likely, and center Tyler Linderbaum. While nothing is imminent, Graziano noted at least one deal could be finalized this year.
The glaring omission? Lamar Jackson.
Jackson has declined to comment on his contract status, and the team’s last meaningful update came in June. At the time, DeCosta said, “We’ve had some conversations before the draft, after the draft, in person. I think we’re in the introductory sort of stage of looking at what an extension might look like.” Worth noting: it took two years to negotiate Jackson’s current deal.
Quarterback market is booming
Recent extensions only add fuel to the fire. Dak Prescott recently overtook Jackson as the league’s highest-paid player with a five-year, $240 million contract from the Cowboys.
Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Jordan Love have also inked massive new deals, causing quarterback market values to skyrocket in a matter of months. If Baltimore continues to stall, they may find themselves paying far more than expected-or worse, risking tension with their star QB.
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