At the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta voiced strong confidence that the team will finalize a contract extension with two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson soon. As the March 11 start of the league year approaches, the Ravens aim to secure Jackson’s deal to manage salary cap space ahead of free agency. This Lamar Jackson contract extension is a top priority for the organization to solidify their quarterback position moving forward.
Jackson is slated to have a $74.5 million cap hit this season, the second-highest in the NFL, making the contract situation pivotal for Baltimore’s offseason strategy. DeCosta said,
“Lamar and I have an agreement [that] we handle business kind of in-house internally,”
adding,
“That worked well for us the last time and we will continue to have that policy moving forward. I have spoken to Lamar about a lot of different things over the last month. He’s been very engaged. … We’ll continue those conversations moving forward.”
Details Surrounding Jackson’s Current Contract and Extension Potential
Currently, Jackson is signed through two more seasons with Baltimore. The anticipated new agreement would extend his time with the Ravens for an additional three to four years, creating roughly $30 million in salary cap space. If negotiations falter and no extension is reached by March, the Ravens may opt to restructure the existing contract to free cap room. However, Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti has cautioned that this approach would not be ideal due to increased cap charges in later years.
Jackson’s last contract made him the NFL’s highest-paid player at $52 million annually. Yet, in the current quarterback pay scale, he ranks 10th, with Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott leading the market at $60 million per year. This positioning underscores the stakes for Baltimore in maintaining a competitive yet manageable cap structure.
DeCosta acknowledged the broader salary cap challenges, saying,
“I think we never have as much cap room as we’d like to have, but we feel like we can start at the beginning of the new league year and conduct business.”
The general manager also indicated Jackson’s contract is the key piece for the Ravens’ offseason planning.
Additional Contract Efforts Focused on Center Tyler Linderbaum
Aside from Jackson, Baltimore is actively negotiating a market-setting contract proposal with Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, another critical player for the team’s future. DeCosta confirmed the team will not use the franchise tag on Linderbaum, aiming to finalize an agreement before free agency begins.
Linderbaum, 25, has been recognized for his outstanding play, marking a rare achievement as the first Raven offensive lineman since Marshal Yanda to earn three consecutive Pro Bowl selections. The Ravens declined Linderbaum’s fifth-year option last year due to its high cost, which exceeded the NFL’s peak salary for centers at the time by over $5 million annually.
Highlighting Linderbaum’s value, DeCosta stated,
“He’s proven to be, in my opinion, the best center in the league,”
and emphasized,
“We’ve had conversations since the end of the season, and at this point in time, we’ve made him a market-setting offer.”
For reference, Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey currently holds the highest average salary among NFL centers at $18 million per season.
Significance and Outlook for Baltimore Ravens’ Upcoming Season
Securing Lamar Jackson’s contract extension remains a linchpin for the Ravens as they prepare for the upcoming season. A new deal would not only stabilize the quarterback role but also provide crucial cap flexibility for assembling the remaining roster. Similarly, locking in Tyler Linderbaum would maintain strength at the center position, integral for the team’s offensive success.
With the clock ticking toward the new league year, Baltimore’s front office, led by DeCosta and with the support of owner Steve Bisciotti, is navigating significant financial and personnel decisions. The resolution of Jackson’s situation, along with key free agency moves, will forecast the trajectory of the Ravens’ competitiveness in the AFC North and the wider NFL landscape.
