Lamar Jackson Won't Have Contract Extension Before Season Starts, ESPN Reports

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens are not expected to reach a contract extension agreement before the 2026 season begins, according to ESPN reporting on September 13. The quarterback has been reluctant to engage in long-term negotiations, choosing instead to focus on the upcoming season.

Jackson and the Ravens have not yet had any substantive, significant discussions about an extension, the sources said. Talks are now tabled, likely until the end of the season, even though many around the league believe Jackson could become the NFL's first $70 million-per-year player.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has publicly stated his willingness to make Jackson the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history. In January, nearly eight months ago, Bisciotti said: "We've got free agents and I don't want to go into free agency with that hanging overhead. And I made that clear to Lamar and I think he was very appreciative of my stance and hopefully willing to work with Eric DeCosta and not get this thing dragged out into April like the last time."

Jackson, 29, is in the fourth year of a five-year, $260 million contract that included $185 million guaranteed and runs through the end of next season. The situation has remained stuck in neutral for over a year, per ESPN's reporting. Sources said Jackson continually demonstrates that once the regular season begins, he prefers not to discuss his contract at all. The sources noted this is not thought to be a negotiating tactic.

The delay carries financial consequences for Baltimore. After this season, Jackson's salary cap hit for 2027 increases to $84.3 million. The Ravens are projected to be roughly $40 million over the salary cap for the 2027 season, according to ESPN, placing the team in a weakened position for future negotiations.

Jackson said this past Tuesday that "winning it all" is how he would define a successful 2026 season. He is the only active player with multiple MVP awards to not win a Super Bowl. Since entering the NFL in 2018, Jackson has the second-best regular-season record as a starting quarterback at 76-31 (.710) but is just 3-5 in the playoffs, per ESPN's data.

On the field, Jackson struggled with injuries throughout 2025, had the highest sack rate of his career, and averaged 26.8 rushing yards per game, less than half of his career average, per CBS Sports. This offseason, Jackson has drawn rave reviews from new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.