Fans of quarterback-needy teams have expressed hope that a trade involving Lamar Jackson could happen. Based on comments from the Baltimore Ravens, they should no longer hold out hope.
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General Manager Eric DeCosta confirmed during the NFL Scouting Combine that the Ravens believe they will sign Jackson to an extension.
"I have spoken with Lamar about a lot of different things over the last month," DeCosta said, per the team website. "He's been very engaged. As I said, he was a big value to us in the coaching search. But we'll continue those conversations moving forward."
DeCosta added that he is very confident that the team will work out a deal with Jackson, who has two years remaining on his $260 million deal he signed in 2023.
Jackson is set to make $51.25 million in base salary next season. He will count $74.5 million against the salary cap. These numbers hold true in 2027, the final year of his five-year deal.
The former Louisville quarterback has spent his entire NFL career with the Ravens since being selected 32nd overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has won Most Valuable Player twice and led the Ravens to the playoffs five times. He has thrown for 187 touchdowns and rushed for another 35 while showcasing his abilities as a dual-threat player.
The Ravens have reached the AFC championship once (2023) but have thus far failed to reach the Super Bowl.
If the Ravens work out a deal with Jackson before the start of free agency on March 11, they can adjust these numbers and increase the available salary cap.
The team is already set to be approximately $22 million under the cap, but an extension would give the team more room to bring in free agents and lock up stars on the roster.
The Ravens are currently scheduled to have 19 unrestricted free agents. This list includes tight end Isaiah Likely, who has caught 15 touchdowns passes over four years while working alongside Mark Andrews.
"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," DeCosta said when asked about creating more cap space with an extension.
