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Lamar Jackson contract: Ravens, QB in 'introductory stage' of extension talks
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- Lamar Jackson contract: Ravens, QB in 'introductory stage' of extension talks
The Baltimore Ravens have already signed two of their key offensive players – running back Derrick Henry and wide receiver Rashod Bateman – to contract extensions during the 2025 NFL offseason.
Could quarterback Lamar Jackson be next? Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta detailed in an appearance on the "BMore Baseball Podcast" the team has been discussing a new deal with the two-time MVP.
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"We've had some conversations before the draft, after the draft, in person last week," DeCosta said. "I think we're in the introductory sort of stage of looking at what an extension might look like."
Jackson signed his first lucrative extension with the Ravens during the 2023 NFL offseason. The five-year, $260 million deal concluded a two-year negotiation process that DeCosta described as "arduous at best" and "challenging at times."
At the time of Jackson's deal, he was the highest-paid quarterback in terms of average annual value (AAV). In the years since, his AAV has dropped to 10th league-wide, per OverTheCap.com , while his total value ranks seventh overall.
RASHOD BATEMAN CONTRACT: Ravens extend WR after career-best season
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So, while Jackson has three years remaining on his initial extension, he may desire a longer-term raise. Meanwhile, Baltimore may be happy to lock him up longer-term to ensure it can continue to be one of the AFC's top contenders.
"We've got a lot of business that we're conducting with different players. We're in a situation where we're blessed to have most of the team coming back," DeCosta said. "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."
Jackson would undoubtedly qualify after his stellar 2024 season. The 2024 MVP runner-up completed 66.7% of his passes for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions while adding 915 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: GM: Ravens in 'introductory stage' of Lamar Jackson extension talks
