Kyle Hamilton
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Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton.
It’s been evident from almost the moment he first took the field for the Baltimore Ravens that safety Kyle Hamilton was one of the NFL’s best defenders — now he’s going to be paid like one.
Hamilton and the Ravens agreed to a massive, $100.4 million contract extension on August 27 that makes him the highest paid safety in NFL history and keeps the 2-time NFL All-Pro with the team through 2029.
The deal includes another record setting number with $82 million in guaranteed money.
“All-Pro safetyKyle Hamilton and the Baltimore Ravens reached agreement today on a four-year, $100.4 million extension, the largest for a safety in NFL history,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on August 27. “The deal …includes $82 million guaranteed — which surpasses the previous record of $45M for a Safety.”
Hamilton, who is only 24 years old, is in the final season of the 4-year, $16.25 million contract he signed with the Ravens after they selected him in the first round (No. 14 overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.
Reactions Pour In After Hamilton’s 9-Figure Deal
Hamilton’s contract was sweet music to the ears of Ravens fans and the rest of the NFL.
Hamilton was ranked the No. 1 safety in the NFL in ESPN’s 2025 preseason position rankings as voted on by NFL executives, coaches and scouts. He’s earned NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors each of the last 2 seasons.
At Notre Dame, he was a 3-time All-American in just 3 seasons of college football.
“All-around best player: Size instincts, production, blitz ability,” one NFL personnel director told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“KYLE HAMILTON IS ON A LEGENDARY RUN,” ML Football wrote on its official X account. “Engaged to his high school sweetheart in France … Signed the largest contract ever for a safety: 100+ million dollars … All-Pro … Pro Bowler …Kyle is only 24 years old.”
“Got engaged and became the highest paid safety in the NFL,” The Ravens Realm wrote on its official X account. “What an offseason forKyle Hamilton.”
“Crazy to think that the#Ravens have had a succession between Ed Reed — greatest of all time — andKyle Hamilton,” X user Dev Panchwagh wrote after Hamilton signed. “Hamilton has a ways to go to be in the Hall of Fame conversation but the path is there. Rare to see a franchise with such high-profile greatness at one position.”
“KYLE HAMILTON IS IN BALTIMORE FOR THE NEXT HALF DECADE THIS IS NOT A DRILL,” X user Ramey wrote on their official account.
Largest Contract in NFL History Looms for Ravens
With Hamilton’s deal now done, attention now turns to the looming contract extension for 2-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, which will almost certainly be the largest contract in NFL history.
That honor currently belongs to Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who signed a 4-year, $240 million contract before the 2024 season.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh seemed to elude to Jackson’s looming deal while talking about Hamilton’s new contract on August 27.
“That’s not the end of it either,” Harbaugh told reporters.
Jackson, who is due to make $42.75 million in 2025, still has 3 seasons remaining on the 5-year, $260 million contract extension he signed in April 2023 and is due to make $52 million each in 2026 and 2027.