Lamar Jackson’s Contract Situation and Future with the Ravens
Lamar Jackson is undeniably a key player for the Ravens, but, well, there are still some puzzling aspects regarding his contract.
For instance, his current salary cap hit stands at an astonishing $73.5 million.
At the NFL Combine, general manager Eric DeCosta expressed optimism about Jackson signing a contract extension. This move could help reduce his salary cap impact, enabling him to stay in Baltimore past the 2027 season.
The crux of the issue revolves around timing, though. Ideally, the Ravens would like to finalize Jackson’s extension in the next couple of weeks. This would provide them with better salary cap flexibility as they navigate free agency and potential trades.
This year marks a change in Jackson’s offseason routine, as he now has a new head coach, Jesse Minter, taking over for the fired John Harbaugh, and a new offensive coordinator, Declan Doyle, succeeding Todd Monken, who’s moved to the Browns.
DeCosta mentioned, “Lamar and I have an agreement. We sort of manage our discussions internally. This approach worked well for us previously, and we plan to continue in that vein. We’ve talked about numerous topics with Lamar recently, and he’s been very involved. His input has been invaluable during our coaching search.”
If negotiating an extension proves difficult, the Ravens have the option to restructure Jackson’s contract by converting his salary into a signing bonus without needing his approval.
The two-time NFL MVP, notably without an agent, had previously negotiated a five-year extension worth $260 million back in April 2023.
With a new coaching staff in place, there’s also the question of whether Jackson will attend voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) to adapt to the new offensive framework. Historically, his attendance has been quite irregular.
DeCosta noted, “They are optional. Lamar is a two-time MVP. I imagine he understands what it takes to get ready for a demanding NFL season. He can perform at an elite level, and I’m not particularly concerned one way or the other.”
