Top NFL Landing Spots for Lamar Jackson in 2027 Amid Mounting Questions About Ravens Future

On Thursday night, the Baltimore Ravens played their first full game since losing star quarterback Lamar Jackson to a significant thumb injury. It remains unclear when or if the two-time MVP will be able to return this season.

The injury landed Jackson on injured reserve. Head coach Jesse Minter has told reporters that it could "potentially" end the quarterback's season.

Since Jackson's injury, his future beyond 2026 has become a major topic of discussion. He has just one year left on his current deal, a very tricky contract situation, and enough injury concerns that some have questioned whether Baltimore will consider going in a different direction in 2027.

Where might Jackson play next if the Ravens do decide on a drastic quarterback shift? We'll dive into his current situation, exactly why his future has become so clouded, and examine the most logical homes for him based on team need, supporting cast, franchise trajectory, and cap implications.

Why Is Jackson's Future Uncertain?

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Lamar Jackson

When healthy, Jackson is one of the NFL's few truly elite quarterbacks. He's still only 29 years old. Based solely on his production (4 Pro Bowls, 2 MVPs, 5 playoff berths), skill set, and age, the idea of any franchise moving on from Jackson seems outlandish.

However, other factors must be considered. One of the first is the fact that Baltimore just underwent a seismic shift when it fired longtime head coach John Harbaugh and hired Minter. GM Eric DeCosta and Ravens ownership have shown that they're willing to shake things up when the status quo isn't working.

Things aren't currently working with Jackson, who has battled injuries over the last two years. He'll turn 30 in January, which isn't old for a quarterback. However, we've also seen a reduction in Jackson's rushing numbers over the last two years that could be somewhat age-related.

The Louisville product is more than capable of winning from the pocket, but his dual-threat ability is what has continually placed him in the NFL's upper echelon.

Continuing down the current path with Jackson would likely require another significant long-term commitment. Jackson is set to carry a cap hit of $84.3 million in 2027. That's not a feasible number for a franchise projected to be more than $45 million over the cap next year.

DeCosta and Co. could look to get out of Jackson's contract rather than restructuring and extending it. There's no guarantee they will, of course, but many in the media have raised the prospect this week.

"His scintillating era of deep downfield passes and elusive scrambles with Baltimore might have closed with Jackson exiting the stadium with his right hand in a brace," ESPN's Jamison Hensley wrote on Monday.

What comes next is indeed unknown, in part, because Jackson's contract includes a full no-trade clause.

Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) embraces head coach Jesse Minter before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Baltimore, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026

The fact that Jackson didn't sign an extension this past offseason plays a role in the mounting speculation about his future. Under his current deal, he can't receive the franchise tag and cannot be traded without his permission. Jackson can, if he wants, play out his contract and be an unrestricted free agent in 2028.

Given the massive cap hit he's set to hold next year, though, the Ravens might consider making him available before then. They could, in theory, release him with a post-June 1 designation and save $52 million in 2027 cap space.

Baltimore could also save $52 million by trading Jackson after June 1, though he would have to sign off on any new destination. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport believes that Jackson would prefer to stay in Baltimore.

"I believe very strongly that Lamar Jackson wants to be in Baltimore," Rapoport said on Big Day with Peter Schrager (beginning at the 1:16 mark).

Jackson's contract is a massive reason why we may see him with the Ravens again next season. The fact that Baltimore approached their coaching rebuild with Jackson in mind is another. Minter was brought in to boost the defense, while offensive coordinator Declan Doyle was hired away from the Chicago Bears to help build around the quarterback.

While DeCosta didn't extend Jackson in the offseason, he told reporters that he was "optimistic" about getting a new deal done.

Of course, everything could change if Jackson makes it clear that he's open to playing elsewhere. He would almost certainly bring a massive haul of picks and/or players in a trade, which could help jump-start any rebuild the Ravens decide to undertake.

The Seattle Seahawks flipped Russell Wilson for a package that included two first-round picks, two second-rounders, a fifth-round pick and multiple players in 2022. A few years later, Seattle lifted the Lombardi Trophy.

In a vacuum, though, Jackson and the Ravens have proven themselves to be a great fit for one another. Baltimore remains his most likely 2027 home as of now.

New York Jets

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Jets general manger Darren Mougey speaks to reporters after an NFL football practice in Florham Park, N.J., Wednesday, July 29, 2026

If Jackson and the Ravens both agree a trade is in their mutual interest, we could see a bidding war. If so, the New York Jets would be better equipped than any other team to win it.

The Jets currently own three 2027 first-round picks. All three would be in the top 10 if the season ended today.

Of course, this means that New York is equipped to chase a top draft prospect like C.J. Carr or Drew Mestemaker in April, too. However, the 2027 QB class has lost some of its luster since the season began, while Jackson remains a proven commodity.

Theoretically, the Jets could trade first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 for Jackson and still add a couple of potential franchise players in the spring. With $52.7 million in projected cap space, they could also afford to extend Jackson as their franchise quarterback.

Yes, the Jets have tried the veteran trade route before. Their 2023 experiment with Aaron Rodgers fell flat, but that was a very different scenario. Rodgers was already nearing the end of his career then and was sort of a Hail Mary for a team desperate for a quarterback. Jackson is still young enough to make sense for a franchise in the early stages of a rebuild.

While there's no guarantee that coach Aaron Glenn or general manager Darren Mougey will be back next season, talented young offensive pieces like Armand Membou, Olu Fashanu, Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Mason Taylor, Kenyon Sadiq, and Omar Cooper Jr. should be. Adding Jackson to the mix could give New York an elite offense for the foreseeable future.

Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo

Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur looks on before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026

The Arizona Cardinals are in a very similar boat to the Jets. They've tried different approaches to the quarterback position over the years and will likely be in the QB market next offseason.

Ironically, Arizona just agreed to trade its Week 1 starter, Jacoby Brissett, to Baltimore. Gardner Minshew will take over at quarterback. The Cardinals also have rookie third-round pick Carson Beck in their QB room. However, they may very well view neither as a long-term solution at the game's most important position.

Things could change if Beck gets onto the field this season and plays well. If that doesn't happen, the Cardinals will keep searching for answers.

Jackson could stabilize the Cardinals' quarterback spot. He would mesh well with Arizona's offense. He'd be a strong fit for Mike LaFleur's offense and complement a very impressive young skill group.

While the Cardinals haven't enjoyed great quarterback play over the last few years, they've uncovered legitimate offensive stars in Trey McBride and Michael Wilson. Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love has flashed a fair bit of upside this season.

A quarterback like Jackson could be the missing piece that puts Arizona back into contention in the NFC West.

The Cardinals, who have already pulled off three of the biggest upsets of the season, may not draft highly enough to land one of the top 2027 QB prospects. With $82.8 million in projected cap space, they do have the financial means to lock up Jackson if they're able to acquire him in the offseason.

Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Colts owners Carlie-Irsay Gordon, center, is joined by her sisters Casey Foyt, right, and Kalen Jackson, as they discuss the team during a press conference at the NFL football team's training facility in Indianapolis, Tuesday, June 10, 2025

The Indianapolis Colts could be headed for major changes in the 2027 offseason. They have already fired general manager Chris Ballard. It's hard to imagine head coach Shane Steichen surviving beyond this season. Indy may also pull the plug on the Daniel Jones experiment in the spring, too.

The Colts committed to Jones with a two-year, $88 million deal this past offseason. However, they could cut him with a post-June 1 designation and save $38 million in 2027 cap space.

If Indianapolis does decide to move on from Jones, Jackson would be a very intriguing option. He would pair nicely with wide receiver Alec Pierce and running back Jonathan Taylor—who has also been the subject of trade speculation but who remains with the franchise for now. He would also give the Colts' incoming coach something to build around.

While Ballard was still in charge at the time, it's worth noting that the Colts had interest in Jackson back in 2023 when he received the franchise tag before signing his last extension.

"Anytime a special player is available, which he is, you've got to do the work," Ballard said, per ESPN's Stephen Holder.

If Jackson becomes available in the offseason, Indianapolis may do the work again. It would likely have to trade future draft capital, since it sent its 2027 first-rounder to the Jets in the Sauce Gardner trade. However, without a first-round pick, the Colts may also have to weigh non-draft options at quarterback more heavily.

Indy is projected to have $42.2 million in cap space next year. That includes Jones' contract. If the Colts land Jackson, they could also afford to lock him up long-term.

Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026

The Atlanta Falcons should probably be viewed as a bit of a wild card right now. Atlanta is rolling with 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. While the jury is still out on the young signal-caller, the Falcons seem to believe in him.

"I see growth from Mike in a bunch of different areas," head coach Kevin Stefanski said, per The Athletic's Josh Kendall. "It's my job to continue to encourage him to be the best version of himself both on and off the field."

However, Penix hasn't come close to establishing himself as a franchise quarterback. He has an extensive injury history, a 7-11 record and a career quarterback rating of 87.4. If he stumbles through the rest of the season or suffers another significant injury, pivoting to a quarterback like Jackson would make a ton of sense.

The Falcons have a functional defense (18th overall) and top-tier skill players in Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts. They also have a new coach in Stefanski, who has shown he can get teams into the playoffs. Adding a quarterback like Jackson could allow Atlanta to dominate the NFC South for years to come.

In other words, trading for a veteran quarterback would make a lot more sense now than it did when the Falcons explored a Deshaun Watson trade back in 2022.

If Atlanta could swing a deal for Jackson, it could extend him and still have money left over to flesh out its roster. The Falcons are projected to have $89.7 million in available cap space in 2027, more than any other franchise.

*Cap and contract information from Over the Cap