Overview
- League executives told ESPN on Thursday that negotiations could get “really interesting” again if Lamar Jackson plays well in 2026 and increases his bargaining power.
- Jackson’s five-year, $260 million contract signed in 2023 bars the Ravens from using the franchise tag, putting him on track to hit free agency in March 2028.
- General manager Eric DeCosta said he and Jackson are keeping talks in-house and that they have spoken recently about continuing discussions.
- Jackson won MVP in 2023 and missed three games with knee and hamstring issues last season, and his $52 million average salary now ranks ninth among quarterbacks, which could fuel a push for a raise.
- He represented himself in the 2023 talks, requested a trade during the standoff, and then secured guarantees and the anti-tag clause, a history that informs expectations for the next round.