Lamar Jackson is due for a new contract, and one prominent NFL analyst believes the two-time NFL MVP could reset the quarterback market. A first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Jackson began his career on the bench before taking over midway through his rookie season. While his inaugural campaign featured some up-and-down performances, he quickly established himself as one of the game’s elite all-around threats. Since taking over for Joe Flacco, Jackson has won two MVPs, earned First-Team All-Pro on three separate occasions, and made four Pro Bowl squads.
Currently playing on a $260 million contract, Lamar Jackson carries a $34.39 million cap hit in 2026, but that number jumps to $84.34 million in 2027. Jackson is great, but no team can build a competitive roster with that much money going to one player. Baltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta told reporters that the team would extend its star quarterback to reduce his cap hit. While nothing has happened yet, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes Jackson’s next deal will eclipse Dak Prescott’s $60 million per year average salary.
“Baltimore will need to work out a new deal by next spring, but waiting until then could be problematic,” Knox writes. “This is, in part, because Jackson’s contract includes a no-tag clause. He could, in theory, accept a big 2027 payday and hit the open market in 2028.”
Ravens Projected to Extend Lamar Jackson to Record-Setting Deal
Put simply, Lamar Jackson has all the leverage in contract negotiations. Quarterback is the most important position in football, and when healthy, Jackson is arguably the best in the game. While his 2025 season left something to be desired, the quarterback battled injuries throughout the season. The last time he had a clean bill of health, the former first-round pick finished the season completing 66.7% of his passes for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns, and four interceptions while adding another 915 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. While he narrowly lost the MVP award to Josh Allen, he was as good as anyone in football.
As of this posting, Dak Prescott $60 million per year makes him the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback on a per-year basis. While reigning MVP Matthew Stafford just signed a one-year, $55 million extension, it’s safe to assume Lamar Jackson will eclipse that number with his next contract. For one, Jackson is considerably younger and has more football left in his tank, which makes him a more valuable asset. Secondly, the Rams just used a first-round pick on Alabama’s Ty Simpson, so they have a fallback plan if Stafford retires or starts slowing down. The Ravens have no adequate Plan B, and that desperation could give Jackson a few additional bucks.
Even if these factors weren’t in play, Lamar Jackson would probably still earn a record-setting deal. After all, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in football, and teams generally like to show their franchise icon the respect they deserve when these situations arise. Knox believes the Ravens will give jackosn a three-year, $181 million extension, allowing him to narrowly beat out Prescott’s $60 million per year. This makes perfect sense for both sides.
