Lamar Jackson contract extension talks with Baltimore Ravens, Digi Mart USA News: The Baltimore Ravens plan to revisit extension talks with Lamar Jackson in the offseason, and those negotiations could ultimately be very fruitful for the star quarterback.
According to NFL on Prime’s James Palmer, the Ravens have spent the last two years trying to get a long-term contract done with Jackson, repeatedly pushing money down the road. That approach has left Jackson with an 84 million dollar cap hit in 2027.
Palmer said the team would like to finalize a long-term deal this offseason, since the sides will not negotiate during the NFL season.
Palmer reported that the Ravens are willing to have Jackson become the highest-paid player in NFL history. Jackson has a no-trade clause and a no-franchise-tag clause, and he could become a full free agent after the 2027 season, at age 31.
Jackson, 29, injured his thumb on the first play of Sunday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills after missing the previous three games with a high left ankle sprain. The Ravens placed him on injured reserve this week, meaning he will miss a minimum of four games and potentially more.
Whether Jackson returns may depend on whether the Ravens still have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs, which is very much in question. His backup, Tyler Huntley, was also placed on injured reserve and reportedly suffered a season-ending turf toe injury.
The Ravens started undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano and reportedly have a trade in place with the Arizona Cardinals to acquire veteran Jacoby Brissett. Baltimore entered Thursday’s matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars with a 4-4 record.
While injuries have been a persistent storyline for Jackson, he is one of the most dynamic players in the sport when healthy, as shown by his two MVP awards, three first-team All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl selections. If the Ravens make him the highest-paid player in league history, it would be widely accepted.
That distinction currently belongs to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his eight-year, 504.7 million dollar renegotiated deal. Unless Jackson wants to become a free agent, it would be difficult to turn down that kind of money, though the structure of the deal and the amount of guaranteed money will likely shape negotiations.
