ESPN hints at $80 million Lamar Jackson problem for Ravens

ESPN hints at $80 million Lamar Jackson problem for Ravens originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson couldn't agree on a long-term deal this offseason, so the franchise restructured Lamar's contract to free up roughly $40 million in cap space.

But that is a short-term sugar hit. The Ravens need to get Lamar's cap numbers down.

As such, there is a thought that if the Ravens can't agree to a long-term extension, the franchise could think of moving on from Lamar in 2027.

Yes, that sounds unfathomable, but ESPN's Louis Riddick was asked whether it was possible that Baltimore could deal the two-time MVP, and his answer will make Ravens fans nervous.

"No, it's not out of the question, "Riddick said on ESPN's GetUp. "The Ravens are up against the cap here in the future, especially when you're talking about the 2027 cap. Lamar's cap number from this year to next goes from like 34 [million] to 84 [million], they need to get that down. They need to get a long-term extension in place.

"Is it possible they could deal Lamar Jackson? Of course, it's possible, this is business. They can't have him on the roster in '27 at a cap number that's above 80 million dollars, can't have it."

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Ravens on the clock with Lamar

Riddick is right, the Ravens' situation with Lamar's current contract is untenable.

In 2026, per Over The Cap, Jackson's cap hit is $34 million, but in 2027, that jumps to a whopping $84 million, plus he has no more guaranteed money left on his deal.

So, if there ever were a time to move on from Jackson, that would be it.

A post-June 1 cut would see the Ravens save $52 million in cap space, but eat $32 million in dead money, the same for a post-June 1 trade.

So, there is a lot to play out over the coming year, and what the Ravens will do with their superstar quarterback is going to make for fascinating viewing.

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