Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has made one thing clear during a recent press conference: he’s not ready to talk details when it comes to his next contract.
Speaking during the team’s mandatory minicamp, Jackson firmly shut down any questions about ongoing negotiations, simply saying, “I never discuss contract situations here. I don’t want to talk about it.”
His response came shortly after Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta confirmed that early-stage conversations about a contract extension were underway. DeCosta described the negotiations as “introductory,” indicating that while the wheels are turning, nothing is imminent just yet.
Jackson’s silence may be strategic. The 2023 MVP is still operating under a five-year, $260 million deal signed in April 2023-at the time, the most lucrative in NFL history.
But as quarterback salaries continue to climb, Jackson now ranks 10th among quarterbacks in average annual salary, and his projected cap hit of $74.5 million for next season looms large for the team.
When asked whether becoming the NFL’s highest-paid player sounds appealing, Jackson broke into a grin, leaned in, and simply said: “Sounds good.” That subtle nod suggests that while Jackson may be tight-lipped, he’s certainly aware of the financial implications surrounding his next deal.
Ravens face critical offseason decisions
The Ravens have just wrapped up their offseason program, giving both sides a few weeks to continue negotiations behind closed doors. It’s clear the team values Jackson as its franchise cornerstone-and with good reason. The dual-threat quarterback has earned two MVP awards and consistently kept Baltimore competitive in the AFC.
Head coach John Harbaugh has expressed confidence that a deal will get done. He’s even hinted that Jackson could once again reset the quarterback market when a new contract is finalized. That wouldn’t be surprising, considering the escalating value of elite quarterbacks.
Players like Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert have signed massive deals since Jackson inked his last one, and the market continues to trend upward.
Beyond Jackson, the Ravens must also consider future extensions for other key contributors, including star tight end Mark Andrews and defensive leader Kyle Hamilton. With Jackson’s cap hit set to spike, the front office is likely looking at ways to restructure or extend the contract in a way that creates financial flexibility.
For now, Jackson is letting his performance on the field speak louder than any contract talk. But make no mistake-when he and the Ravens do agree to terms, he’s likely to find himself right back on top of the NFL’s pay scale.
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