Insider's take on Jackson's relationship with Ravens may raise eyebrows

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

'Inflection point': Ian Rapoport's take on QB Lamar Jackson's relationship with Ravens may raise eyebrows

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Dec 25, 2025 1:29 PM ET

The Baltimore Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson may be poised to have some challenging conversations this offseason.

Despite winning two league MVPs in eight seasons with Baltimore, Jackson's future with the team no longer seems entirely certain. With that in mind, both parties could be headed toward a tipping point this offseason.

NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport says Ravens, Lamar Jackson may be at an "inflection point"

"It has been a frustrating season on many levels," Rapoport said on "The Insiders" Christmas morning. "Lamar has not practiced as much as they thought. He has been injured in some games. ... We'll see where this goes; it does feel like to me like a little bit of an inflection point.

"We have [head coach] John Harbaugh discussing his status. We have the former MVP in Lamar Jackson with the opportunity to re-up his contract before the season at a time when a lot of people thought he would. Did not happen. The Ravens, at the very least, have some things to figure out and some relationships to discuss in the offseason."

From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: Once they head into the offseason, the #Ravens have a few things to sort out for 2026. pic.twitter.com/cyfCwxhYcE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 25, 2025

Two of the biggest items the Ravens must address this offseason are what to do with Jackson's contract and whether Harbaugh is still part of their plans. The QB is in the third year of a five-year, $260M contract, but his cap number balloons to $74.5M in 2026. The only way to lower that number is to extend or trade him.

Jackson is a transcendent talent, but does Baltimore want to keep paying top dollar to a QB who has wilted in the playoffs? The Ravens star has a 3-5 postseason record and has yet to make a Super Bowl.

More importantly, should the Ravens pay a QB with injury concerns? Jackson — who turns 29 on Jan. 7 — has missed three games because of a hamstring injury, which may be impacting his play. Since returning in Week 9, he has posted a below-average 86.8 passer rating with 1,442 passing yards, eight touchdown passes and five interceptions (via StatMuse).

Jackson is now battling a back injury suffered in a 28-24 Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots. If he can't play Saturday against the Green Bay Packers (9-5-1), backup QB Tyler Huntley is slated to start.

Harbaugh, meanwhile, is feeling the heat amid a disappointing 7-8 season. The 18-year HC, who hasn't won a Super Bowl since the 2012 season, has admitted his job security could be shaky.

The Ravens can make the playoffs if they win out and the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) lose out. Still, don't be stunned if they make changes this offseason. They clearly expected more this season, but the QB and HC haven't delivered, making their futures murkier.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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