The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson's contract situation are the hot topics of this offseason. With Jackson's staggering $74.5 million cap hit for 2026, it's clear the Ravens can't dive into free agency without addressing it.
An extension or restructure seems inevitable, and most expect it to happen.
However, FS1's Colin Cowherd has a different take, suggesting that Baltimore is out of the Super Bowl running due to Lamar's cap hit. He argues that this financial burden limits the team's ability to sign free agents and stay competitive.
Cowherd stated, "The Ravens are done being a Super Bowl bubble team. There's no possible way with what they're going to pay him. His current cap hit is $74M."
But let's break this down. While Cowherd highlights a real challenge, it's hard to imagine Baltimore letting this situation linger. According to Over the Cap, a simple restructure of Jackson's contract could free up a significant $38 million in cap space.
That's a game-changer.
Moreover, an extension could free up over $40 million by reducing his annual cap hit. This is just one of the strategic moves the Ravens can make to get back in the game. And that's without considering other potential adjustments.
So yes, the Ravens face a financial puzzle right now, but with a few smart moves, they could be major players in free agency and keep their Super Bowl aspirations alive.