Eric DeCosta got what he wanted out of the 2026 NFL draft, but no sooner had the Baltimore Ravens’ general manager finished making his picks, he had to start answering questions about the contract status of franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. DeCosta’s answers were highly revealing about the team’s plans for free agency following the draft.
The status of any negotiations over Jackson’s next contract quickly became the focus of the Ravens’ post-draft press conference on Saturday, April 25. When pressed about whether any progress has been made, DeCosta simply answered, “No. Not really,” per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
That’s hardly what Ravens fans want to hear about the future of the team’s most important player. Even after a successful haul on the draft’s final day, that included selecting a dynamic replacement for running back Keaton Mitchell in Round 5, and ended with DeCosta correcting a draft mistake by signing an undrafted free agent who’s a former teammate of top pick Vega Ioane.
Having no good news about Jackson might take the edge of those moves for some, but DeCosta did provide fans with an exciting update about what comes next.
Ravens Have Plans for Free Agency
The time is ripe for the Ravens to re-enter the veteran market, thanks to the league’s post-draft rules. Those rules were explained by Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, who explained how “Free agents no longer factor in comp pick formula after Monday.”
That’s significant because, as Zrebiec also reported, “DeCosta said he views it almost as another phase of free agency.’There’s always players out there. There’s going to be opportunities to add players and we’ll be ready to pounce.’”
Hearing DeCosta sounding primed for any deals is encouraging news for a Ravens team that still has a few needs, despite adding 11 players during the draft. The class covered holes along the offensive line, at wide receiver and tight end, but there’s still room for help at defensive tackle and inside linebacker.
Perhaps a deal for veteran nose guard D.J. Reader will be revived. Or Maybe an experienced middle ‘backer like Bobby Okereke or 10-time Pro Bowler Bobby Wagner will be brought in for a visit.
The Ravens have options, but even one or two new signings will be unlikely to defer attention away from Jackson’s future for long.
Lamar Jackson’s Contract Still the Main Talking Point
DeCosta won’t be able to duck questions about Jackson’s next contract. It’s the defining issue for a franchise that has struggled to match fielding arguably the most exciting player in the NFL at football’s most important position with winning titles.
Jackson’s frustration has grown with every playoff failure, but the Ravens did him a solid of sorts when they selected Ioane in Round 1. He’s already made a promise Jackson will love to hear.
DeCosta and new head coach Jesse Minter would love to hear the waiting game about a new deal for Jackson has ended. That’s likely still some ways off, despite the Ravens having some decent leverage.
In the interim, it sounds like DeCosta will remain fully focused on building the strongest roster possible around the Ravens’ star attraction.
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