The Baltimore Ravens could be headed for a repeat of the messy 2023 contract negotiations with 2-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.
It was a drama that ended with him becoming the highest-paid player in NFL history, but not until he requested a trade and NFL owners colluded to keep him in Baltimore.
After talking with some high-profile NFL agents, Sports Illustrated’s Jason La Canfora believes the Ravens might be headed down that same path.
“A trade demand would absolutely be on the table if I was advising Lamar,” one NFL agent told La Canfora. “I’m not coming in with it, but I’m coming in with a very firm hand, and I’m not putting up with any of their bull (expletive). And if it’s not done before training camp, we’re done talking.”
Jackson has 2 seasons remaining on the 5-year, $260 million contract extension he signed in April 2023. He is also in a unique position because he is one of just a handful of NFL players who serve as their own agent and also has a no-trade and no-franchise tag clause in his contract.
Jackson in Line to Become NFL’s Highest-Paid QB
With his new contract, Jackson will be looking for a deal that once again makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history — a deal that would have to exceed the $60 million per year the Dallas Cowboys pay quarterback Dak Prescott after he signed a 4-year, $240 million contract before the 2024 season.
“Jackson famously negotiated a record contract without representation throughout his long ordeal with Baltimore despite putting up MVP numbers, and he continues to operate as his own agent,” La Canfora wrote. “And, after the Ravens once again fell a year-plus further behind the ever-soaring quarterback market in extending the superstar (the Bills and Josh Allen once again smoothly agreed to an extension last year), there isn’t an agent or general manager or contract negotiator in the NFL who doesn’t believe the quarterback has more leverage now than ever before.”
One Thing Missing From Negotiations: Super Bowl
One thing that’s worth pointing out is that Jackson has never even played in the Super Bowl. He’s only ever played in the AFC Championship Game once, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs at home following the 2023 season.
Now, in 2026, Jackson has a new head coach in Jesse Minter after playing his 1st 8 seasons for John Harbaugh, who was fired after last season’s 8-9 debacle.
Speaking on the “Boy Green Daily” show in February, Jets X-Factor’s Nick Faria speculated Jackson’s recent, well-documented struggles could lead to this being his last year in Baltimore.
“I don’t know if there’s any crazy rumors I’ve heard at this point (at the combine), but I think this is probably Lamar Jackson’s final year in Baltimore,” Faria said. “It’s more of just … a lot of things have come out about Lamar Jackson as a player and as a person and there are people concerned in the organization. I think there will come at a point where there are people in the organization who just say ‘This is not worth it.’ ”
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