The Baltimore Ravens are staring down one of the most crucial offseasons in recent memory, and the spotlight is fixed firmly on their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson. Following a 2025 campaign derailed by injuries and inconsistency, the financial weight of Jackson's contract has become a central concern for the franchise's future.
A Season of Promise Derailed by Injuries
When the 2025 NFL season began, the Ravens were considered genuine contenders for the Super Bowl. However, their aspirations quickly unravelled. The team's fortunes were tightly linked to the health of Lamar Jackson, who suffered a significant hamstring injury early on, causing him to miss multiple games. Just as he returned, a back contusion further hampered his ability to play consistently and find his rhythm.
This cascade of health issues for their most important player sent Baltimore's season into a tailspin. The team fell out of the elite tier in the highly competitive AFC, forcing them to shift their focus from championship pursuit to mere damage control long before the playoffs.
The $74.5 Million Question: Restructure or Trade?
While Jackson remains a two-time MVP and the undeniable centrepiece of the Ravens' offence, the recent injury history and the team's uneven performance have sparked difficult questions about the long-term sustainability of their strategy. These questions are amplified by the daunting structure of Jackson's contract.
His salary cap hit is scheduled to skyrocket to a staggering $74.5 million for both the 2026 and 2027 seasons. This enormous figure severely restricts the Ravens' flexibility to build a competitive roster around him, as it consumes a massive portion of the team's total salary cap.
Across the league, analysts and executives see only two viable paths for Baltimore. The first is to negotiate another contract restructure and extension with Jackson, which would spread out the cap hit but likely commit the team to paying him over $60 million annually for many more years. The second, more dramatic option, is to explore a blockbuster trade, which would offer immediate financial relief but require a complete organisational reset.
Both choices come with major complications. Extending Jackson further ties the franchise's fate inextricably to his health and performance. A trade, however, would be complex due to the no-trade clause in Jackson's contract, meaning he would have to approve any move.
Harbaugh's Firm Stance Amid the Speculation
Amid growing external speculation, Head Coach John Harbaugh has taken a definitive public stance to quell any rumours of discontent or a potential split. He forcefully pushed back against reports suggesting frustration within the organisation regarding Jackson.
"Our relationship is A-plus," Harbaugh stated, reaffirming his unwavering belief in his quarterback. He dismissed anonymous claims about special treatment or disengagement as completely baseless and misleading. His message was clear and direct: the Baltimore Ravens are not looking to trade Lamar Jackson.
Despite this strong vote of confidence from the head coach, the underlying pressure has not dissipated. The Ravens' front office, led by General Manager Eric DeCosta, now faces the delicate task of balancing loyalty to their franchise player with prudent long-term planning. In an AFC that grows more competitive each year, and with playoff success remaining elusive, the margin for error in Baltimore is razor-thin.
There is no debate that a healthy Lamar Jackson gives the Ravens their best chance to win immediately. Yet, the harsh economic reality of his contract ensures that the difficult conversations about the team's direction will continue throughout this pivotal offseason. For now, the trade talk has been publicly shut down, but every decision made regarding number eight will shape the identity of the Baltimore Ravens for the next decade.
