Lamar Jackson QB
| Reported deal: | 5-year, $260 million extension |
|---|---|
| New money: | $260 million |
| New years added: | 5 |
| Technical new-money APY: | $52 million |
| Reality APY: | $52 million |
| Verdict: | Market Rate |
While the $52 million APY headline grabbed attention, the real value lies in Jackson's guaranteed money structure. He received $135 million fully guaranteed at signing, comprised of a $72.5 million signing bonus, his 2023-2024 salaries, workout bonuses, and option bonuses.
Lamar Jackson signed a massive 5-year, $260 million contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens on April 27, 2023, ending a prolonged negotiation saga that included a franchise tag and trade request. The deal made Jackson the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time, averaging $52 million per year and including $185 million in total guarantees with $135 million fully guaranteed at signing.
The contract came after months of tense negotiations where Jackson sought a fully guaranteed deal similar to Deshaun Watson’s $230 million pact. The Ravens had previously offered Jackson around $250 million with $133 million guaranteed at signing in 2022, which he declined. The final deal includes significant protections including a full no-trade clause and prevents Baltimore from using the franchise tag on Jackson after 2027.
Additional Contract Details
| Contract type | Extension |
|---|---|
| Contract through | 2027 |
| Guaranteed at signing | $135 million |
| Total guarantees | $185 million |
| Date signed | 2023-04-27 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-13 |
Reality Check
While the $52 million APY headline grabbed attention, the real value lies in Jackson's guaranteed money structure. He received $135 million fully guaranteed at signing, comprised of a $72.5 million signing bonus, his 2023-2024 salaries, workout bonuses, and option bonuses. Additional guarantees vest on a rolling basis - $21 million more became guaranteed in March 2024, and $29 million of his 2026 salary becomes guaranteed in March 2025, reaching the full $185 million.
The contract is backloaded with massive salaries in 2026-2027 ($51+ million each), but Jackson has already restructured portions to create cap relief. His 2026 cap hit was originally projected at $74.5 million before restructuring. The deal's fifth year contains no guaranteed money, giving Baltimore an out after 2026 if needed. Despite the massive numbers, Jackson's practical guarantee of $185 million ranks second only to Watson's $230 million, making it a fair market deal for a two-time MVP quarterback.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much guaranteed money did Jackson get compared to other top QBs?
Jackson's $185 million in total guarantees ranks second all-time behind Deshaun Watson's $230 million, and his $135 million guaranteed at signing is also second-highest behind Watson's fully guaranteed deal.
What happens to Jackson's contract after 2027?
Jackson becomes an unrestricted free agent after 2027, and the Ravens cannot use the franchise tag on him again thanks to a no-tag clause in the contract.
Why did Jackson turn down the Ravens' earlier offers?
Jackson declined multiple offers, including a $250+ million proposal with $133 million guaranteed at signing in 2022, because he wanted a fully guaranteed deal like Watson received from Cleveland.
How does the contract's guarantee structure work?
Jackson got $135 million guaranteed at signing, with additional guarantees vesting on rolling dates - $21 million became guaranteed in March 2024, and $29 million more becomes guaranteed in March 2025, reaching $185 million total.
What special protections does Jackson have in this deal?
The contract includes a full no-trade clause and a no-franchise tag clause after 2027, giving Jackson significant control over his future beyond this contract.
Sources
- https://overthecap.com/player/lamar-jackson/6917
- https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/25127/lamar-jackson
- https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-lamar-jackson-deal-181106233.html
- https://www.nfl.com/news/lamar-jackson-ravens-agree-to-terms-on-new-contract
- https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/1877/breaking-down-lamar-jacksons-260m-contract
