Two years after the rest of the NFL passed on trading for Lamar Jackson, the door might be opening again-and this time, 31 teams could get another shot at landing the two-time MVP. And let’s be clear: acquiring a player like Jackson isn’t just a splashy headline-it’s a franchise-altering move. He’s the kind of quarterback who can change the arc of a season, or even a Super Bowl window.
Jackson is still under contract with the Ravens, playing on the five-year, $260 million deal he signed back in April 2023. On paper, that should mean his future is locked in.
But as ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported Tuesday, Baltimore might be reaching another crossroads with its star quarterback. The Ravens have two options: extend Jackson again or explore what kind of return they could get on the trade market.
“It is time to address Lamar’s contract again,” Graziano said. “He has two years left with no guarantees, and if they do nothing at all, the cap number for him is $75 million after next year.”
That’s not exactly a number you can just work around. Baltimore either has to commit long-term again-or start listening to offers.
It’s a tough decision for a franchise that has built its identity around Jackson since he took over as the starter back in 2018. But here’s the rub: in eight seasons with Jackson at the helm, the Ravens have just three playoff wins.
That stat lingers, especially for a team that’s been constructed around his unique skill set from top to bottom. At some point, the front office has to ask the hard question-can Jackson get them over the hump?
There’s no doubt about his talent. Jackson is one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in the league, capable of breaking a defense with his legs or torching it through the air. But postseason success has been elusive, and that continues to be the one blemish on an otherwise elite résumé.
That conversation got even more complicated after the Ravens’ latest loss-a 28-24 defeat at the hands of the New England Patriots that could prove costly in the AFC North race. With a chance to set up a Week 17 showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers for the division lead, Baltimore came up short. The Patriots stormed back with a 15-point fourth quarter, handing the Ravens their eighth loss of the season.
Jackson left the game late in the second quarter with a back injury after going 7-of-10 for 101 yards. Tyler Huntley came in as his replacement and finished 9-of-19 for 65 yards, but the offense never quite found its rhythm after the switch.
And it’s not just Jackson’s future that’s in question. There’s been growing tension between him and head coach John Harbaugh throughout the season. While nothing has boiled over publicly, the relationship doesn’t appear to be in the best place.
Baltimore still has a shot to stay in the division hunt, but they’ll need to take care of business against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. A win keeps their hopes alive. But bigger decisions loom-about this season, about the direction of the franchise, and most importantly, about whether Lamar Jackson is still the quarterback to lead them forward.