Lamar Jackson, the electrifying quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, is once again the center of attention as whispers grow louder about a potential contract extension that could shake up the entire NFL.
After a season where he narrowly missed a third MVP trophy, Jackson is reportedly set for a deal that could rival, or even surpass, Josh Allen’s monumental contract. And insiders say it’s coming sooner than anyone expected.
Appearing on ESPN’s SportsCenter, renowned NFL insider Jeremy Fowler dropped a bombshell that’s catching fire across the league. “The sense here around the league is that Baltimore could follow the blueprint that Buffalo put together back in March when they extended Josh Allen, even though he had multiple years left on his contract,” Fowler revealed. “The feeling is, get ahead of that huge quarterback market money in three or four years from now, just pay your guy now when he’s got multiple years left on his current deal.”
This is a major departure from the Ravens’ previous approach in 2023, when they stunned fans and analysts alike by slapping the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson—essentially daring other teams to make an offer. But the league-wide silence was deafening. Not one franchise bit. The silence raised eyebrows and questions, but in the end, Baltimore got their man—inking Jackson to a five-year, $260 million megadeal. Now, the franchise seems to be preparing for Phase Two: a preemptive, legacy-securing extension.
Why the urgency? The current deal, while massive, contains colossal cap hits looming in 2026 and 2027—$74.5 million each year. It’s evident that Baltimore built this contract with a future extension in mind, aiming to spread out cap burdens and lock down their franchise cornerstone before he can test free agency again in 2028, when he’ll be just 31.
Let’s not forget Jackson’s jaw-dropping numbers: 4,172 passing yards, a ridiculous 41:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio, a completion rate of 66.7%, and a 119.6 passer rating. Oh, and he added another 915 yards on the ground with four rushing scores. This isn’t just MVP-level performance—it’s dynasty-level.
So what could this extension look like? Sources suggest Baltimore may follow the Josh Allen path almost to the letter. Allen’s six-year, $330 million contract—built on top of a previous $129 million deal—was designed to keep him in Buffalo into his mid-30s. Expect Jackson’s deal to do the same, with projections soaring beyond the $60 million per year mark. That kind of commitment would make Jackson not only one of the highest-paid athletes in NFL history but also signal that the Ravens are going all-in on chasing Super Bowls for the next decade.
It’s a brilliant strategic move if executed correctly. With quarterback salaries expected to explode in coming years thanks to new media rights deals and salary cap increases, getting ahead of the curve could save Baltimore millions—while cementing their status as perennial contenders.
Make no mistake, the Ravens are sending a message to the league: Lamar Jackson is our guy, and we’re not playing games anymore.