Last week, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric Decosta said he was "optimistic" the team would agree to a new deal with quarterback Lamar Jackson before March. Jackson is currently playing on a five-year, $260 million deal he signed in 2023 that will keep him under contract through 2027. But with a cap hit of $84.3 million in 2027, the Ravens and Jackson need to agree to a new deal before the start of the league's new year for salary cap reasons.
Per Jonathan Jones of The Athletic, the Ravens will not have a deal finalized with Jackson before Baltimore begins its season on the road against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Because Jackson doesn't have an agent and represents himself, he's not expected to negotiate during the season. More News: Exclusive: Breakout NFL Executives Who Could Become Future General Managers More News: 4 QBs Generating Serious Trade Buzz Weeks Before NFL Regular Season Starts Jones notes that the relationship between Jackson and the Ravens is the "healthiest" it's ever been.
Both sides want to reach an agreement, but things could get "complicated" before March if Baltimore has a bad season. Jackson, 29, has been with Baltimore since he was taken with the No. 32 pick in 2018. He's earned two league MVP awards, but has yet to make a Super Bowl appearance.
Earlier in September, DeCosta stated he and Jackson have a "pact" and suggested his negotiations with the star quarterback are different than how he negotiates with other players. DeCosta believes the Ravens offer fair deals to their players. "We try to compensate our players, our best players, as well as we can," DeCosta said, via ESPN.
"And you can look at that from an average standpoint. You can look at that from a guaranteed money standpoint, a term standpoint, incentives, whatever that is. We try to be fair-plus with our players.
"And I think over time we've proven that for the most part. We want to be recognized as one of the best organizations in sport." The Ravens will carry this storyline with Jackson into the offseason. It remains to be seen if Jackson and Baltimore can negotiate quickly after its season ends in January or February and early March.
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