Lamar Jackson contract extension with Baltimore Ravens: What to know - ESPN

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Despite Lamar Jackson rocking the NFL world on March 27 by tweeting he had asked for a trade from the Baltimore Ravens, coach John Harbaugh expressed confidence Jackson would remain his quarterback.

Perhaps Harbaugh based his optimism on the fact teams were publicly stating they wouldn't pursue Jackson, who was given the nonexclusive franchise tag, meaning he could negotiate with other teams.

Whatever the reason, Harbaugh's instincts proved accurate as the Ravens and Jackson agreed in principle to a five-year, $260 million extension on Thursday, just hours before the NFL draft (8 p.m. ET, ESPN, ABC and ESPN+) began.

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Jackson, who does not have an agent and represented himself, became eligible for an extension over two years ago, but negotiations never seemed to gain momentum. Jackson reportedly was looking for a deal along the lines of what Deshaun Watson received from the Cleveland Browns, who signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in March 2022, but the Ravens balked at a fully guaranteed deal.

The contract Jackson agreed to includes $185 million in guaranteed money, according to a source, and is worth $52 million per year, which is the highest in the league. The Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts will make $51 million after signing his extension on April 17.

Now the Ravens can focus on football, having signed their QB and improved their wide receiver corps by signing Odell Beckham Jr. on April 13.

ESPN Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley examines the timing of the deal, the relationship between Jackson and the Ravens and how this