Latest on Lamar Jackson Trade Scenarios amid Contract Buzz from NFL Insider

The Baltimore Ravens and star quarterback Lamar Jackson might be reaching a critical juncture of his tenure with the team, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler.

Jackson has two more years left on his current contract and will count for $74.5 million against the salary cap in 2026 and 2027.

"The Ravens need to extend him to get that cap hit down, or else they need to trade him, which obviously would open up yet another QB1 position for next season," Graziano said. "Jackson has a no-trade clause, so he'd have some say in this if the Ravens decided to explore options."

Graziano added that Jackson's performance this year and Baltimore's inability to get over the hump in the playoffs could complicate the calculus for Baltimore.

Fowler concurred and said that it's "clearly a situation Baltimore must handle with care."

"Baltimore probably will miss the playoffs for the second time in his career," he said. "Such contract decisions are easier for the front office when the player and team are peaking at season's end, not declining."

The Baltimore Sun's Mike Preston penned a column Tuesday that explored the same general subject. He also reported that head coach John Harbaugh "has become tired of Jackson, even though he builds him up after every game" (via Glenn Erby of Ravens Wire).

Harbaugh disputed that idea Wednesday with reporters:

It's not as though Jackson's production has fallen off a cliff, but he isn't matching the level he enjoyed during his back-to-back All-Pro seasons in 2023 and 2024. Through 12 starts, he has thrown for 2,311 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. His 28.3 rushing yards per game are a career low as well.

DEEP Lamar to DHop TD 😮‍💨

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The two-time MVP also missed three games because of a hamstring injury, and his status for Saturday's matchup with the Green Bay Packers is up in the air because of a back issue.

One NFL executive told The Athletic's Jeff Howe earlier this month that Jackson "doesn't look the same," while another exec asserted he's "just not as explosive as in the past."

Based on his age (28) and resume, Jackson could nonetheless potentially surpass Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's $60 million average salary and become the NFL's highest-paid player.

When finding a starting-caliber QB — let alone one as good as Jackson — is difficult enough on its own, Baltimore may decide paying its current franchise cornerstone is better than trading him and venturing into the unknown.