Ravens and Lamar Jackson contract negotiations
The gist
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will have thumb surgery and go on injured reserve after hurting it at Buffalo.
His $84.34 million 2027 cap hit and stalled extension talks now shape Baltimore's offseason.
How it unfolded
- 2023Jackson signed a five-year, $260 million contract that made him the NFL's highest-paid player at the time.
- Dec 16, 2025ESPN's Jamison Hensley reported Jackson's cap number would rise from $43.5 million in 2025 to $74.5 million in 2026, making reducing the hit Baltimore's priority.
- Jan 13, 2026Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said he wants Jackson to remain the team's quarterback and that the team planned to re-enter extension talks, noting the $74.5 million could be moved into void years if no deal is signed.
Key terms
- injured reserve
- A designation in North American pro sports leagues for athletes who are injured and unable to play.
- cap hit
- A rule limiting how much money a sports team may spend on player salaries, either per player or for the whole roster.
Source: Wikipedia