Don't look now, but the Baltimore Ravens might be in danger of eventually losing All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Jackson, a two-time MVP, is currently set to become an unrestricted free agent during the 2028 offseason. Although the Ravens have time to negotiate a long-term extension, they already failed to get a deal done before the start of the legal tampering window. That was considered their target date for an extension.
"We want another window, and Lamar knows that. I think he is amenable to doing something that mirrors the last deal that he did, although the annual number will be a little higher. But I'm hoping that it's plug in your number in the same contract he signed [in 2023] and move on," Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said. "The urgency of that matters to me because we've got free agents, and I don't want to go into free agency with that hanging over our head. I made that clear to Lamar, and I think he was very appreciative of my stance, and hopefully, willing to work with Eric and not get this thing dragged out into April like it was the last time."
After failing to sign Jackson to an extension this week, the Ravens lost Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, tight end Isaiah Likely and a few other players in free agency.
The Ravens did, however, free up roughly $40 million in cap space by restructuring Jackson's current contract. This move lowered his cap hit for the 2026 season to $34.54 million and raised his 2027 cap figure to $84.49 million.
"[We] were able to free up, I think, just under $40 million this year, added a void year to 2030, I believe," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said. "We're certainly hopeful that we'll get an extension done. I think it's important to both parties. But we remain to see what's going to take place in the future."
Dec 14, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images © Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images.
Should Ravens fans be concerned?
Obviously, the Ravens could get a long-term deal done with Jackson as early as this weekend. Will they though? We're not sure considering there isn't much urgency coming from Jackson's camp.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk pointed out that Jackson has a no-tag clause in his current contract. That means he could potentially let his deal play out and hit the open market in 2028.
"With Jackson representing himself, he'll eventually return his focus to football. The can may get kicked to 2027," Florio wrote. "And if a new deal isn't done before the start of the next league year, the final countdown toward Jackson's first shot at unrestricted free agency will begin."
There's no question Ravens fans will be anxiously waiting for an update on Jackson's contract.
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