Baltimore Ravens superstar Lamar Jackson is in the headlines again for his contract situation. The quarterback might still have two years left on his deal with the team; however, Baltimore is in a tight situation, forcing the front office to move early on Jackson’s future.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson Will Be Very Expensive Next Year
Jackson’s latest deal kicked in in 2023 and is paying him $260 million over five years. While it’s still early to be thinking about an extension, the Ravens have to start weighing their salary cap options ahead of 2027. The quarterback will be taking a big chunk of the cap for himself next year, leaving the front office vulnerable when it comes to roster construction.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley laid out the situation staring Baltimore in the face, noting the significant impact of Jackson’s contract.
“Baltimore is looking to extend Jackson because he has two years remaining on his contract,” he wrote. “His salary cap hit jumps to $84.34 million next offseason, which is the second highest in the NFL and will account for 26% of Baltimore’s 2027 cap. This is a unique situation because Jackson doesn’t have an agent and represents himself.”
Jackson’s cap hit will only increase from here. The Ravens have him secured for almost $10 million cheaper this season compared to last; however, the signal-caller’s cap hit will be among the NFL’s biggest in 2027.
“The questions about Jackson’s future increased in March when he and the Ravens didn’t agree to a new deal even after owner Steve Bisciotti spoke to him about the urgency to get an extension completed before the start of free agency,” Hensley wrote. “The encouraging sign has been Jackson’s attendance at the team’s offseason workout program and first minicamp, both of which are voluntary. Jackson skipped most voluntary workouts in the past.”
Jackson’s attendance at offseason workouts suggests he wants to get a deal done at some point. Whether he’s as in a hurry as the team is up for debate, though.
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Baltimore doesn’t have any other reliable long-term starters other than Jackson. Experienced backup Tyler Huntley is on the active roster, but he’s only 5-6 as a starter with the team in five seasons. Still, he’s the Ravens’ best option behind Jackson.
Among the rest of the quarterback room is 2026 undrafted free agent Diego Pavia. The Vanderbilt product drew attention because he is one of the better signal-callers in a weak positional group this year, meaning he likely won’t be ready to start anytime soon. He did, however, record a 94.8 PFSN CFB QB Impact score with the Commodores last season, which ranked first in the nation.
