Lamar Jackson Contract Extension Discussed in New Ravens Rumors, Latest on Linderbaum, Flowers, More

The Baltimore Ravens are on the cusp of a busy offseason with multiple key items on the agenda.

ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler mapped out the Ravens' offseason plan following a disappointing 2025 season that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

According to Graziano, Baltimore "would like to finalize a contract extension" for star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is entering the final guaranteed year of his current deal. He's set to count for a whopping $74.5 million cap hit this year, and while the team can add more void years to reduce his cap number, the Ravens reportedly "would prefer to do an extension and avoid dumping more cap charges into future years for which he's not yet signed."

However, Graziano added that "it's hard to handicap the Ravens' chances of getting it done" due to Jackson continuing to represent himself in contract negotiations without using an agent. The situation "has led to some complications in these kinds of talks between him and the team in the past," so more drama could be in store for Baltimore.

One of the Ravens' top pending free agents is center Tyler Linderbaum, and they reportedly "hope they can keep" the three-time Pro Bowler. However, Graziano spoke to "plenty of people" at the NFL scouting combine this past week who feel Linderbaum "will get offers that exceed $20 million per year, and that Baltimore won't want to go that high."

It appears that the Ravens' receiving corps has a strong chance to stay intact.

Graziano reported that he "got the impression from my conversations that the Ravens plan to pick up the fifth-year option on 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers," which would pay him $27.3 million in 2027. Fellow wideout Rashod Bateman is guaranteed $6.5 million this year, and despite his lackluster 2025 season, the Ravens reportedly "seem inclined to give him another shot in the new offense they're installing under new coordinator Declan Doyle." Free-agent tight end Isaiah Likely reportedly "could be seeking a larger role with a team willing to sign him based on his potential," and "whether he comes back depends on what kind of market emerges for him outside of Baltimore."

As for the Ravens' defense, Fowler reported that "multiple league executives" expect them to be in the market for a safety despite already having an impressive tandem in three-time Pro Bowler Kyle Hamilton and 2025 first-round pick Malaki Starks.

"A growing trend in the league is using three safeties, similar to what Seattle did to great success last season with Nick Emmanwori as a safety/big nickel alongside Julian Love and Coby Bryant," Fowler explained. "New Ravens coach Jesse Minter was known to experiment with the same setup with the Chargers. I'm not sure how many dollars the Ravens would commit here, but it's worth noting."