Lamar Jackson is not close to a new deal with the Baltimore Ravens, and that gives him room to wait. The quarterback could choose to hold off until next offseason, when a changing market might push his price even higher.
That is why Jackson is drawing attention now. He would be under contract through the 2027 season and, as things stand, would not become a free agent until the 2028 offseason, giving Baltimore time but also giving him a chance to gamble on a better number later.
’s Jeremy Fowler reported Monday that some around the league believe Jackson may prefer that route. The logic is simple: if he waits, the quarterback market could look different in the 2027 offseason, when Drake Maye, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels would be eligible for new deals after their third NFL seasons. A stronger market at that point could lift the next contract for one of the league’s most valuable passers.
The Ravens want to get something done sooner. They have an obvious reason to push now, because locking up Jackson before the market shifts would protect them from an even higher price tag later. But Jackson does not have to move on Baltimore’s timetable, and that changes the negotiation. If the offer is strong enough this offseason, he could still sign. If it is not, waiting may be the cleaner play.
There is a catch, and it matters. Every season he delays a new agreement carries injury risk, and one hit can change the whole conversation. That makes this less like a simple standoff than a calculation: Baltimore wants certainty, Jackson may want leverage, and both sides know the wrong season can swing the balance quickly.
For now, the question is not whether the Ravens want Jackson. They do. The question is whether they are prepared to pay enough now to keep him from betting on 2027, or whether they are willing to let the market do the talking for them next year.
