Ravens have two problematic options with Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson has always made it particularly tough to negotiate potential contract extensions.

He represents himself, and he won't discuss new deals during the season. Also, given how the Baltimore Ravens have handled his contracts in the past, he might not be open to making concessions.

The Ravens are stuck between a rock and a hard place with his contract. They restructured his deal earlier in the offseason to clear cap space, but they're now looking at a massive $84.3 million cap hit in 2027.

That cost them all leverage in this situation, and they're now facing two alternatives: Pay him what he wants (with the guarantees he asks for) or trade him.

Ravens are in a tough spot with Lamar Jackson's contract

Jackson is entering the fourth season of his five-year, $260 million contract. Expectations are high in Baltimore, and they need him focused on finally end their postseason shortcomings.

According to Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport, the Ravens may have no choice but to make him the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history if he plays well next season.

“It appears at this point that Jackson will play out the 2026 season on his current deal. If the 29-year-old rebounds from an injury-marred 2025 and plays anything like the Jackson we saw two years ago, the two-time MVP will get a new pact that sails past the $63.5 million a season Patrick Mahomes just received from the Kansas City Chiefs,” Davenport wrote.

At the end of the day, Jackson is one of the best quarterbacks in the game, so it only makes sense that he's compensated as such.

That said, it looks like the Ravens dug themselves into this hole. They didn't always negotiate with him in good faith, so there's no reason for him to do that now.

This will be a make-or-break season for the former MVP, and one that could cost the Ravens a ton of money.