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Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are set for a winner-take-all matchup against the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sunday, but win or lose, there will be significant negotiations on a contract extension that'll once again make the two MVPs the highest-paid players in the NFL, or set up the scenario where the quarterback takes his talents to another city.
The biggest question and subject circulating on social media is his lack of an agency or PR firm representing him, and whether that is hindering Jackson from getting deals done in a timely, less chaotic fashion.
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Jackson doesn't have an official agent, and with the help of his mother (manager), Felicia Jones, he's negotiated his own contract. If negotiations go left, could the Ravens really look to trade Jackson, who'll count $74.5 million against the cap in 2026 and 2027, making him the league's highest-paid signal-caller? Jackson has a no-trade clause, so any agreement between the Ravens and another team would need to be signed off on by the two-time MVP.
Back in June, GM Eric DeCosta confirmed that the Ravens and Jackson had started preliminary talks on a new deal.
Jackson is set to complete year three of a five-year, $260 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens, signed on May 4, 2023. $185 million was guaranteed, of which $135 million was fully guaranteed at signing. A guaranteed option was paid out last March 17, worth $22.5 million. Jackson's 2025 base salary of $20.25 million and a $750,000 roster bonus were guaranteed. Because he was on the roster on the 5th day of the 2025 league year, $29 million of Jackson's 2026 salary will be fully guaranteed. There are $750,000 roster bonuses due on the 5th day of the 2026 and 2027 league years.
The questions about a trade came after an article by longtime Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston suggested Jackson's future with the Ravens could be in doubt, with head coach John Harbaugh cited as growing tired of perceived immature antics from his two-time MVP quarterback.
Meanwhile, the Ravens should explore all options. It’s clear that coach John Harbaugh has become tired of Jackson, even though he builds him up after every game. He has to, or Jackson will go into his own self-exile.
In the eight postseason starts, Jackson has a 3-5 record and performed poorly, which is why there is a “Regular Season Lamar” and “Postseason Lamar.” I’m convinced that Jackson will rebound, but not unless he starts following a strict training regiment complete with weightlifting sessions.
Preston was adamant that the Ravens needed to trade Jackson, while the quarterback and head coach both agreed they have an A-Plus relationship.
Last summer, former sports agent and CBS Sports lead analyst Joel Corry masterfully broke down the leverage Jackson again holds over the franchise, noting that his 2026 and 2027 cap hits are unworkable for the organization.
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As Corry pointed out, Jackson just finished the third year of a five-year, $260 million contract signed with the Baltimore Ravens on May 4, 2023. Of this, $185 million is guaranteed, of which $135 million was fully guaranteed at signing. As of this article, Jackson is the 10th-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL after Brock Purdy's new contract.
Based on recent trends with Dak Prescott and Josh Allen, Jackson can justify $65.5 million to $67 million per year for a contract extension he signs in the coming months. With inflation and an adjustment for the 24.2% increase in the salary cap since he signed in 2023, Jackson could command upwards of $64.5 million per year, and he could ask for it to be fully guaranteed.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: National media believes Lamar Jackson needs to hire an agent
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