Why Lamar Jackson, Ravens Contract Talks Could Get 'Really Interesting' Revealed by NFL Exec

Three years after a contract stalemate between Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens ended with a long-term extension, the two sides could be in for another extended negotiation.

One NFC executive told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler it wouldn't be a surprise if things get "really interesting" yet again for Jackson and the Ravens if he plays well in 2026.

"Last time [in 2023] it seemed like talks were going nowhere and then a deal seemed to pop out suddenly," the executive said. "This one has a chance to get really interesting again, especially if he has a big year and ups his leverage."

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has been very confident in his public comments about getting an extension done with Jackson.

"Lamar and I have an agreement [that] we handle business kind of in-house internally," DeCosta told reporters at the NFL scouting combine. "That worked well for us the last time and we will continue to have that policy moving forward. I have spoken to Lamar about a lot of different things over the last month. He's been very engaged. ... We'll continue those conversations moving forward."

Prior to signing his five-year, $260 million extension in April 2023, Jackson went through more than year-long standoff with the Ravens. He turned down an offer prior to the start of the 2022 season.

It seemed like that was going to negatively impact Jackson's value because he missed the final five games in 2022 due to a knee injury.

The Ravens used the franchise tag in March 2023 to prevent Jackson from becoming a free agent, but he announced later that month he had requested a trade because the team "has not been interested in meeting my value" in their contract offers.

The deal Jackson ultimately signed made him the league's highest-paid player at the time. It also includes a clause that prevents the Ravens from using the franchise tag on him when the contract expires after the 2027 season.

In the years since Jackson's extension, he has been pushed down the list of highest-paid quarterbacks. His $52 million average annual salary ranks ninth at the position.

Jackson won his second NFL MVP award in the first year of the deal in 2023, followed by a runner-up finish in 2024. He struggled last season due in part to knee and hamstring injuries that caused him to miss three games, though his passing touchdown rate of 7.0 percent was the third-best of his career, behind his two MVP seasons.

The Ravens are entering a new era after making a change at head coach. John Harbaugh's 18-year tenure ended at the end of last season, with Jesse Minter taking over in his first stint as an NFL head coach.

Jackson's presence will make life much easier for Minter as he gets acclimated to the new role. There's no doubt the 29-year-old will be their quarterback this season, but until a new contract is signed, speculation about his long-term future will be a hot topic of conversation around Baltimore.