Lamar Jackson Contract Talks Tabled Ahead of 2026 Season Opener

Lamar Jackson has declined to engage in substantive contract discussions with the Baltimore Ravens, shifting his focus to the Week 1 game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Lamar Jackson will not sign a lucrative contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens before the team’s 2026 season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. According to league sources cited by ESPN, the 29-year-old quarterback has been reluctant to discuss a long-term deal, despite owner Steve Bisciotti’s stated willingness to make him the highest-paid player in NFL history. Jackson is currently in the fourth year of a five-year, $260 million contract that includes $185 million in guaranteed money.

The two-time MVP enters the season with a career regular-season record of 76-31 but a 3-5 mark in the playoffs. While league observers believe Jackson could potentially command $70 million per year, negotiations have remained stalled for over a year. The quarterback stated on Tuesday that he defines a successful 2026 season as "winning it all," noting that the roster is focused on the process of reaching the Super Bowl rather than the championship itself.

Financial pressure on the franchise is expected to mount following this season. Jackson’s salary cap hit is scheduled to rise to $84.3 million in 2027, a year where the Ravens are already projected to be approximately $40 million over the cap. Bisciotti previously expressed a desire to settle the contract early to avoid roster-building complications, but sources indicate that formal talks are now unlikely to resume until the current season concludes.