Jason Burgos
A new report of opinions from executives around the NFL suggests the Baltimore Ravens better be prepared for more Lamar Jackson contract drama if he continues to perform at his current level over the next two seasons.
After being the final pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Jackson has been far better than the Ravens could have imagined. After showing his potential in six starts during his rookie season, he would emerge as one of the game’s best players at its most important position in the years following.
Since 2019, Jackson has earned Pro Bowl honors four times, is a three-time All-Pro, and is a two-time NFL MVP. The dual-threat QB is already the best signal caller in Ravens history, and it is why he landed a massive five-year, $260 million contract before the 2023 season. Yet, to get that deal done, it was an absolute struggle.
Jackson represented himself in negotiations and made demands to get a fully guaranteed deal and for the Ravens to be unable to put their franchise tag on him in the future. When discussions hit an impasse, he demanded a trade in March of 2023. However, after arduous back and forth talks, eventually a deal was hammered out.
NFL exec expects another dramatic Ravens and Lamar Jackson contract battle in 2028
It is a period that the Ravens are happy is in the rearview. However, some around the NFL believe the team and superstar QB could go through it all again in 2028, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“Last time it seemed like talks were going nowhere and then a deal seemed to pop out suddenly,” an NFC executive told Fowler. “This one has a chance to get really interesting again, especially if he has a big year and ups his leverage.”
While he has eight seasons under his belt, Jackson will only be 31 in 2028. So he should still have two or three more prime years left. Elite QBs are the greatest asset in the NFL, and all teams will pay massive sums to get them. It would not be surprising if Jackson chose to bet on himself and hit the market in two years.
However, that is a problem for down the line, and the Ravens should again be in title contention this year because of the two-time MVP.
