Lamar Jackson might force Ravens to make a tough Zay Flowers decision

The Baltimore Ravens put themselves into a complicated position with their best player.

Lamar Jackson still hasn't gotten a contract extension, and his massive cap hit for future seasons will force the Ravens to either pay him whatever he wants or let him walk. As such, the front office may have to prioritize. This situation is urgent, and everything else can wait.

That's why Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac believes Zay Flowers will now have to wait until 2027 to get paid while his team tries to work out a deal with the quarterback.

Zay Flowers may have to wait to get his contract extension

“Flowers has posted improved production each of his first three seasons in Baltimore, though none of the numbers necessarily jump off of the page,” Ginnitti wrote. “It stands to reason that Flowers will be a Top 10 paid WR ($30M+) when it’s said and done. Prediction: Baltimore focuses on Lamar Jackson this summer, pushing the Flowers’ extension to 2027.”

Players always want to get paid first, knowing that they're always an injury away from a very different outlook. Moreover, with Todd Monken gone and an unproven offensive coaching staff, Flowers may have no choice but to bet on himself amid plenty of uncertainty about his usage, role and schemes.

Of course, that can also work in his favor, as the ever-glowing wide receiver market will most likely be even more lucrative next offseason. Someone will once again set another record as the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history, thus raising the floor of his new deal. That said, the clock is ticking, and every day they don't sign Jackson to a new deal is a day they continue to lose leverage in this situation.