Could Lamar Jackson contract extension situation get messy?

During the NFL Scouting Combine, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta insisted that he was "confident" the club would sign star quarterback Lamar Jackson to a lucrative contract extension at some point during the offseason. 

On Sunday, NFL insider Dan Graziano of ESPN shared why the Ravens are in a position of power as it pertains to at least Jackson's short-term future.

Ravens can make Lamar Jackson moves without his permission

"The Ravens have automatic conversion rights in the contract, meaning they can add more void years, convert salary to signing bonuses and knock down this year's cap number by as much as $38M -- and they don't need Jackson's permission to do it," Graziano explained. "Jackson's contract already has void years for 2028 and 2029, though, and Baltimore would prefer to do an extension and avoid dumping more cap charges into future years for which he's not yet signed. Jackson still doesn't use an agent, and that has led to some complications in these kinds of talks between him and the team in the past, so it's hard to handicap the Ravens' chances of getting it done." 

Graziano was referencing how Jackson revealed after the Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag to retain the quarterback's rights for 2023 that he requested a trade on March 2 of that year. It was said at the time that Jackson's request was "more about money" than about a supposed desire to leave the club, and the two sides eventually agreed to a five-year contract reportedly worth up to $260M (with $185M guaranteed). 

There was some chatter earlier this winter that the Las Vegas Raiders could attempt to make a blockbuster trade to acquire Jackson. However, most now believe the Raiders will make Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza the first pick of this year's draft. Additionally, there's no indication any other team feels that Jackson is legitimately available this offseason. 

Why Ravens, Lamar Jackson could both want to sign contract extension

"He has $29M of his 2026 salary guaranteed, but no other guarantees beyond that," Graziano added about Jackson's existing deal. "And his salary cap number is set to swell to $74.5M this year."

History suggests Jackson, a two-time MVP who turned 29 years old this past January, will want to be at least one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league when he puts pen to paper on an extension. The fact that the Ravens don't necessarily have to match his asking price could make this situation interesting to follow over the next handful of months.