Latest Lamar Jackson Contract Rumors and Why Ravens Want to Make Him NFL's Highest-Paid Player

This is a key offseason for the Baltimore Ravens as they look to hire a new head coach and assess the future, and making Lamar Jackson the highest-paid player in the NFL is reportedly on the to-do list.

ESPN's Jamison Hensley reported Monday that team owner Steve Bisciotti "made it clear the Ravens are all-in with Jackson when he said last week, 'I want him to be my quarterback'" and also included him in coaching interviews.

"Baltimore is looking for a new deal to reduce Jackson's $74.5 million salary cap figure in 2026 before free agency in March, and it'll probably take making him the league's highest paid player at over $60 million per season to do so," Hensley reported. "A new deal would probably keep Jackson with the Ravens for at least another three seasons. The only concern is the durability of Jackson, who has sat out 15 games because of injury over the past five years."

That is notable since the 2025 campaign was a tough one for Jackson on the injury front. He suffered a hamstring injury in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs and missed the next three games.

He dealt with ankle and toe ailments after his return but played through the injuries. Unfortunately, Jackson suffered a back contusion in Week 16, when the Ravens lost 28-24 at home to the New England Patriots on Dec. 21. Tyler Huntley took over for Jackson during the game and then played the next week, when the Ravens beat the host Green Bay Packers 41-24.

That game helped set up a win-or-go-home game for the AFC North title against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 4. Jackson was listed as a full participant in practice all week and did not have an injury designation.

▶️ Full Ravens-Steelers Recap

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While he played in that game, Pittsburgh ended up winning and advancing to the playoffs.

Jackson is a four-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and two-time NFL MVP in his eighth NFL season. In 13 games, Jackson completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing for 349 yards and two scores.

It wasn't enough to make the playoffs, but the front office clearly believes he is the quarterback to lead the team to the postseason in the future if it is going to make him the league's highest-paid player.