Ravens GM Eric DeCosta shares major Zay Flowers contract update

Multiple reports from late June indicated that the Baltimore Ravens and wide receiver Zay Flowers could come to terms on a contract extension before the NFL's ongoing summer break wraps up later this month. While the Ravens picked up Flowers' fifth-year option for 2027 earlier this spring, he hasn't yet put pen to paper on a multiyear deal.

During a Thursday appearance on Baltimore sports radio station 105.7 The Fan, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta shared an update on the Flowers situation. 

Ravens "want" Zay Flowers to stay put

"Yeah, definitely," DeCosta said about possibly coming to an agreement with Flowers before the upcoming season gets underway, per James Brizuela of RavensRoundtable. "I love Zay. Zay wants to be here. We want Zay here."

Flowers has a fan in Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who may or may not be looking to land a contract extension of his own this summer. Flowers led the Ravens last season with 86 receptions, 118 targets and 1,211 receiving yards. He shared the team lead of five touchdown catches with fan-favorite tight end Mark Andrews. 

It's unknown what Flowers' camp has asked for as it pertains to salary figures and guaranteed money attached to an extension. Some within the NFL previously warned DeCosta that Flowers isn't viewed as a "$30M a year" player. 

Eric DeCosta: Ravens, Zay Flowers have had "good conversations"

"We've had good conversations," DeCosta added while speaking about Flowers. "... Certainly a work in progress. Optimistic about it. I feel like, at some point, we'll get it done. I hope it gets done. We love Zay. Zay's a phenomenal football player, and his energy is infectious, and I expect him to have a great year."

Veteran Baltimore players aren't due to report to training camp until July 28, so there's still plenty of time for Flowers and the Ravens to work something out before he is expected to resume practicing. It's also possible that contract talks between the sides could continue through the preseason to ensure that a deal is inked before Baltimore opens the regular season with a game at the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 13.