Lamar Jackson Forfeits $750K Bonus Again

Lamar Jackson skipped most of the Ravens’ voluntary OTAs and forfeited his $750,000 workout bonus for the second straight year. This drops his 2025 pay from $43.5 million to $42.75 million. It signals growing tension between a franchise QB and Baltimore’s front office over his offseason commitment.

Contract Incentives Designed to Force Presence

Jackson’s 2023 five-year, $260 million deal includes $750,000 workout bonuses each year from 2024 through 2027. He missed the 80% attendance threshold again, totaling $1.5 million left on the table. Details from Pro Football Talk confirm the structure punishes absences from voluntary sessions.

• Bonus trigger: 80% of offseason workouts
• 2024: Forfeited $750K
• 2025: Forfeited another $750K
• Remaining: Two more chances in 2026-27

These aren’t trivial amounts for a two-time MVP. They exist to ensure the QB buys into the scheme year-round. Jackson showed up for the last OTA week and two minicamp days, but inconsistent performance there per ESPN reports suggests rust or disinterest.

Cap Hit Shrinks, But Risks Mount for Both Sides

The forfeiture saves Baltimore $750K in cash and cap space. Jackson carries a $47.7 million cap hit in 2025 before adjustments. This minor savings won’t move the needle on their roster build around him.

Skipping raises real dangers. An injury during independent workouts could trigger a non-football injury tag, voiding his entire 2025 base pay. That’s $21 million at risk, per the same PFT breakdown. Ravens hold leverage here; Jackson gambles on his body.

Independent Workouts Won’t Fix Scheme Gaps

Jackson trains solo, including boxing after a rough 2025 season. SI covers his regimen, but it skips Todd Monken’s RPO-heavy system. Last year’s stats showed decline: completion percentage dipped below 64%, yards per attempt at 6.8, and 12 INTs in 16 games.