sportingnews
Lamar Jackson's time with the Baltimore Ravens may be nearing its end. The veteran quarterback was placed on injured reserve after suffering a hand injury, and with the Ravens sitting at the bottom of the AFC North, it's possible he has already taken his last snap for the team.
If that's the case, Jackson's contract situation will become the focal point of the offseason. The quarterback will be seeking a new deal, and given his age and injury history, negotiations could be even more complex than they were the last time around.
Contract Details and Cap Implications
Jackson is currently in the fourth year of a five-year, $260 million contract. However, a significant cap hit in 2027—over $84 million—looms large. Releasing him would leave the Ravens with more than $74 million in dead cap, forcing the team to address the contract to avoid crippling their salary cap.
If the two sides cannot agree on an extension, Baltimore may have to explore a trade or release. Because of the exorbitant dead cap hit, a trade is more likely, especially since Jackson is still in his prime. Notably, Jackson's contract includes a no-trade clause, giving him control over his destination.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Ravens could explore trading Jackson this offseason if no extension is reached. Jackson carries an $84.34 million cap hit in 2027 and also has a no-tag clause, meaning he would have to approve any trade. Despite this, the Ravens remain optimistic about reaching a new deal to keep the two-time MVP in Baltimore.
In a potential trade, the Ravens would still absorb a similar dead cap hit, but the acquiring team would only inherit a $52 million cap hit. While any team would likely want to negotiate an extension, the contract is reasonable enough for a team to let Jackson play out the remainder of the deal. However, the no-tag clause means Jackson would become a free agent after the contract expires, giving him leverage.
Will the Ravens Re-Sign Jackson?
While the Ravens want to keep Jackson long-term, it's uncertain whether they can agree on a new deal. In January, owner Steve Bisciotti expressed hope for an offseason extension. "We want another window, and Lamar knows that," Bisciotti said, via ESPN. "I think that he's amenable to doing something that mirrors the last deal he did, although the annual number will be a little higher. But I'm hoping that it's plug a new number in the same contract he signed last year and move on."
That didn't happen, and Jackson's future in Baltimore is now murky. The quarterback has historically been a tough negotiator, which could lead the Ravens to move on and start fresh. With Jackson's injury and contract situation, the possibility that he has played his last game for the Ravens is very real.
Originally reported by sportingnews.