Ravens make QB Lamar Jackson highest-paid player in NFL history with 5-year, $260M US deal: reports

Five years after he fell to the end of the first round, draft day was a huge payday for Lamar Jackson.

The Baltimore Ravens agreed in principle with Jackson on a five-year deal Thursday, making their star quarterback the highest-paid player in NFL history.

The Ravens and Jackson agreed on a $260 million, five-year deal with $185 million in guaranteed money, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract hadn't been signed.

Compensation update: Lamar Jackson’s five-year deal is worth $260 million, including $185 million guaranteed, per sources. On an average per year basis, it makes Jackson the NFL’s new highest-paid player.

Deshaun Watson still has the biggest guaranteed contract in NFL history. The Cleveland Browns gave Watson a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million extension last year to waive his no-trade clause and agree to join the team.

The Ravens announced the deal hours before the first round of the NFL draft, and it's fair to say that in Baltimore at least, this news will overshadow whoever the team might take in the first round.

"Very excited — it was a long, long process," general manager Eric DeCosta said. "But family is never easy. We're thrilled that we were able to get this done."

We’ve agreed in principle on a 5-year contract extension with QB <a href="https://twitter.com/Lj_era8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Lj_era8</a>‼️ <br><br>