Ravens Won't Play Games With Potential Lamar Jackson Extension
Ravens Won't Play Games With Potential Lamar Jackson Extension originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Competency is underrated. A handful of teams have franchise quarterbacks. Several teams have playoff-caliber star power. But few teams are capable of recognizing when they have something good and doing everything in their power to hold onto it.
Advertisement
The Baltimore Ravens already made quarterback Lamar Jackson the highest-paid player in the sport in 2023. Just two years later, he's eligible to be extended again. While it may seem early to ask for another extension, Jackson isn't off base.
Since Jackson earned his big payday, nine quarterbacks have signed extensions for more average annual value (Over the Cap).
Thus, Baltimore may soon return to the negotiating table. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta recently foreshadowed another Jackson extension coming down the chute.
"We've had some conversations before the draft, after the draft, in person last week," DeCosta told Jerry Coleman on the 'BMore Baseball Podcast.' "I think we're in the introductory sort of stage of looking at what an extension might look like."
Advertisement
The right details may still be in the works, but it should be rather simple. Jackson, soon enough, will be the highest-paid player in the sport once again. He could very well pass the $60 million mark that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott set ahead of the 2024 campaign.
His current deal is worth five years and $260 million. The biggest obstacle in inking Jackson long term (again) might be the talent already on the roster.
"We've got a lot of business that we're conducting with different players," DeCosta said. "We're in a situation where we're blessed to have most of the team coming back, but as we look out over the next two, three, four, five years, we're trying to keep as many good players as we can. We've got some guys that we feel like have a chance to really be prolific players for us that can be here a long time. We're trying to get as many of those guys signed up as possible. That's a big challenge, and Lamar's certainly a big part of that."
A deal isn't imminent, and with multiple years left on his deal, the situation isn't particularly urgent. Jackson may stand to gain from waiting even longer for more stars to get paid.
Advertisement
In either event, the number on Jackson's next deal isn't something for Ravens fans to be worried about. He's a superstar with no signs of slowing down playing the sport's most important position. Pay him what he wants and try to win a Super Bowl.
Related: One Raven Must Be on Team USA in 2028
Related: Lamar Jackson Is Too Good To Lead NFL in Passing
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Raiders Insider Leaves Door Open for Veteran CB Addition
Raiders Insider Leaves Door Open for Veteran CB Addition originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Las Vegas Raiders welcomed a new regime of Pete Carroll and John Spytek this offseason. This tandem made several changes to last year's four-win roster, but perhaps no position group was overhauled as much as the secondary. Advertisement Not only did the Raiders part ways with cornerback Nate Hobbs and safeties Tre'Von Moehrig and Marcus Epps during free agency, but the team waived cornerback Jack Jones as well. While Las Vegas did sign Eric Stokes on the open market and use a third-round pick on Darien Porter during the 2025 NFL Draft, this is still a largely unproven group heading into the season. Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (0).Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images 2023 fourth-round pick Jakorian Bennett showed signs of being a true No. 1 corner last season, but he is still staving off an injury this summer. 2024 fourth-round pick Decamerion Richardson was shaky during his rookie campaign as well. Advertisement The Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore recently answered questions about the state of the team's cornerback group. He pointed out that the Raiders may still look to add to this room before the season. "Don't rule out the Raiders adding to this (cornerback) group, either," Bonsignore wrote. "Cornerback seems like the most likely spot the Raiders would add at." Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey has been the most commonly floated name for the Raiders this offseason, but it would take a draft pick to pry him from Miami. His contract situation is also less than desirable over the next few years and it is unlikely the team wants to spend so much money on an aging player. Former Charger Asante Samuel Jr. has also been a candidate for the Raiders to sign, but his physical characteristics do not align with what Pete Carroll typically wants for his outside cornerbacks. Perhaps the team would add him in hopes of transitioning him into the slot. Advertisement 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore is still a free agent, as are notable veterans James Bradberry and Mike Hilton. Look for any of these players to be in the cards for the Raiders if injuries or underperformance plague the team through training camp. Related: Raiders Reportedly Using Ashton Jeanty in Unique Role at OTAs Related: Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Reveals Why He Joined Raiders This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
NHL Insider Describes 'Heel Turn' Scenario for Mitch Marner's Free Agency
NHL Insider Describes 'Heel Turn' Scenario for Mitch Marner's Free Agency originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Toronto Maple Leafs face a pivotal offseason, and the future of Mitch Marner remains unresolved with July 1 and the start of free agency fast approaching. Advertisement As the winger nears unrestricted free agency on that date, barring agreeing to a contract extension, speculation has swirled around potential destinations. One of the most provocative scenarios came from The Athletic's James Mirtle, who suggested a potential move that would stun fans on both sides of the NHL's fiercest rivalry. Mirtle wrote that Marner signing with the Boston Bruins would qualify as a 'heel turn' but stopped short of ruling it out, placing Boston under the "maybes and long shots" category of his list of potential landing spots for the pending free agent. "It would be a bit of a heel turn for Marner, given they're such a big rival in the division," Mirtle said. "But I don't think we can rule it out entirely just on that basis." Advertisement The Bruins are entering a retooling phase after a disappointing 2024–25 season and project to have more than $26 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia. "It was certainly a lost season in Boston this year, but do they try and pull a Capitals and retool quickly?" Mirtle wondered. "Between David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and Jeremy Swayman, they have a lot of strong pieces in place, so scorched earth doesn't seem like the way to go." Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner (16) fights for the puck during a Stanley Cup Playoffs E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Marner tallied 102 points in 81 regular-season games and 13 points in 13 playoff contests this season. "(The Bruins) certainly have the cap room after their big sell-off before the deadline," Mirtle said. Advertisement Marner's last contract carried a $10.9 million cap hit, but he's expected to demand a rise for his next deal, possibly into the $13 million per season. Related: NHL Insider Adds Fuel to Connor McDavid-Maple Leafs Speculation Related: NHL Insider Addresses Possible Breakup of Maple Leafs' Core Four This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Blackhawks Linked to Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner, But There's A Catch
Blackhawks Linked to Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner, But There's A Catch originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Blackhawks enter the offseason with nearly $30 million in projected cap space, according to PuckPedia, and with phenom forward Connor Bedard leading the next generation of Hawks hockey. Advertisement Speculation has mounted that the Blackhawks could make a splash in free agency, given their huge cap room and need for improvement. Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner's name has been loosely linked to Chicago, given their flexibility and market size, and the fact that the Leafs star will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. According to Scott Powers of The Athletic, while the Blackhawks will likely inquire if Marner hits the market, they aren't expected to aggressively pursue the winger. "If Marner does hit the open market, the Blackhawks, like everyone else, would likely inquire about him," Powers wrote. "The Blackhawks just aren't expected to open their checkbook and allow Marner to fill out the amount. Advertisement "As much as they like Marner, they don't see him — or any unrestricted free agent — as an essential piece to add, considering where they are in their rebuild." Powers reported that general manager Kyle Davidson maintains full support from chairman Danny Wirtz and will continue focusing on long-term development through the draft instead of rushing moves. "They might be hard to hold off the dogs," one Eastern Conference executive told Powers, "but I think the Blackhawks need to stay out of that game for another two to three years." Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) skates with the puck during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Sergei Belski-Imagn Images Rather than enter a potential bidding war for Marner, Chicago is more likely to explore the trade market for younger players under team control. Advertisement "One potential path to adding a notable player is through trade," Powers wrote. He mentioned someone like Buffalo's JJ Peterka as a potential target. "If another team is looking to move a young restricted free agent because they're struggling to work out a deal, that's where the Blackhawks could be aggressive," Powers wrote. "Someone like Buffalo Sabres winger JJ Peterka could intrigue the Blackhawks." Regarding a Marner pursuit, Powers summarized the chances bluntly, claiming, "it isn't likely to be." Related: NHL Insider Describes 'Heel Turn' Scenario for Mitch Marner's Free Agency Related: Insider Says $1.85B Franchise Is Not the Favorite to Land Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
