NFL News: Ravens HC John Harbaugh makes something clear about Lamar Jackson’s contract extension

Since his arrival in the NFL, Lamar Jackson has become one of the most important players in the history of the Baltimore Ravens. Despite not having reached a Super Bowl yet, the two-time league MVP intends to stay much longer with the team that has been led by John Harbaugh for years.

Although in 2023, the former Louisville Cardinals player signed an agreement to remain in Baltimore for five more years in exchange for $260 million, according to HC Harbaugh himself, there have been discussions between the QB and the front office to start planning a long-term future together.

“There’s been conversations about that internally, I know,” Harbaugh said in the NFL’s Annual League Meeting. “How far along that is or whatever, I don’t know. I definitely think it’s an obvious point … that’s going to continue to have to be addressed, really with all those guys. You just kinda manage that dance, the salary cap dance, and Lamar is the main part of that because he’s the franchise player. That’s a possibility, I think. Sooner or later, definitely is gonna have to happen.”

While it’s true that the Ravens don’t have an urgent need to sign a new extension right away, on the other hand, more and more cases are emerging of players in that position signing massive contracts, so Jackson could easily sit at that table.

Head coach John Harbaugh interacts with Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens prior to playing against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Lamar Jackson’s current situation

Two years ago, Lamar Jackson made headlines across the media after agreeing to one of the most lucrative contracts in recent NFL history. The QB signed for 5 years, worth $260 million.

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This year, the two time MVP is set to earn a base salary of $20.25 million, with a $43.5 million cap hit. However, that base salary rises significantly in 2026 to $51.25 million, accompanied by a cap number of $74.5 million.

It will be a matter of seeing what the franchise’s management decides regarding Jackson’s future, as if they reach an agreement on a new contract, the numbers will likely increase exponentially.

The highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL

While Lamar Jackson is among the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league today, he is far from the top spots in the ranking. Here’s the top 10 according to CBS Sports, based on their annual salary:

• Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys (60M)
• Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills (55M)
• Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals (55M)
• Trevor Lawrence – Jacksonville Jaguars (55M)
• Jordan Love – Green Bay Packers (55M)
• Tua Tagovailoa – Miami Dolphins (53.1)
• Jared Goff – Detroit Lions (53M)
• Justin Herbert – Los Angeles Chargers (52.5)
• Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens (52M)
• Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles (51M)