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    ESPN: More likely Jackson plays without extension

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    BAL Quarterback #8
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    ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes the chances of Ravens QB Lamar Jackson “playing out 2026 without an extension could grow by the day.”

    The veteran quarterback is under contract through 2027, but carries an $84.3 million salary cap hit next year. The front office obviously wants to rework the deal. Jackson wants a lucrative extension and “has massive leverage and appears ready to use it.” He also has a no-franchise-tag provision and a no-trade clause. If Jackson turns in another “banner season,” Fowler believes “he has full control” of where he plays next season. For now, he is a top-tier QB1.
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  • BAL Quarterback #8
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    Jackson and the Ravens leaned on Derrick Henry for much of this one. Through the first three quarters, Jackson attempted just 13 passes. He completed nine of those attempts for 114 yards and one touchdown, with his first coming on a four-yard pass to Chris Moore in the back of the end zone in the third quarter. Jackson would string together multiple completions late in the fourth quarter on his way to throwing a two-yard touchdown to rookie TE Matt Hibner to give the Ravens a 31-28 lead with one minute and 30 seconds left in regulation. After the Cowboys tied the game with 10 seconds still on the clock, Lamar found Zay Flowers on a 27-yard pass, then called a timeout with one second left on the game clock to set up a game-winning 56-yard field goal from Tyler Loop. This was shaping up to be another signature fourth-quarter collapse from the Ravens, but Jackson and the offense were able to come up with enough clutch plays down the stretch to stave off defeat. Jackson will be on the QB1 radar next week when the Ravens take on the winless Titans.
  • BAL Quarterback #8
    A quick look at the box score would suggest the Ravens put up more than the 17 points they managed in Sunday’s loss, but Baltimore struggled to finish drives on Sunday. Despite making a handful of big plays on the day, one of which was a 22-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman in the second quarter, Jackson took three pivotal sacks on three separate drives that resulted in just three points for the Ravens. Jackson completed 2-of-5 passes of 20-plus yards, with his longest completion a 47-yard strike to Devontez Walker, but on the Ravens’ final drive, Lamar missed a throw to Bateman, and safety Julian Blackmon picked it off to end the game. Hopefully, Zay Flowers will be back next week for Jackson in Week 3 against the Cowboys in what projects as a high-scoring game. As usual, Jackson will be a must-start next week.
  • BAL Tackle #79
    Ravens LG John Simpson (groin) was also sidelined. Both players are long-time veterans, so hopefully this is more of a maintenance issue than anything else. Losing the left side of the offensive line would make things more challenging for QB Lamar Jackson against the Saints.
  • BAL Quarterback #8
    Things couldn’t have gone much better for Jackson and the Ravens, who generated one explosive play after another in Declan Doyle’s debut as offensive coordinator. Jackson’s first completion of the day came on a 49-yard play to Zay Flowers that fell a few yards shy of the end zone, but Jackson would rush it in himself on a five-yard run two plays later to give the Ravens their first score of the new season. Jackson’s lone touchdown pass came on another long play to Flowers. Jackson completed a short pass to Flowers midway through the second quarter, which Flowers immediately turned upfield for a 54-yard score, putting the Ravens up 21-6. As a runner, Jackson looked explosive when he took off. Jackson ripped off a 17-yard gain when he evaded multiple defenders to avoid a sack in the first quarter, and gained another 19 yards on the ground just before halftime. Jackson played the entire second half without Flowers and rookie receiver Ja’Kobi Lane. Hopefully they’ll be healthy in time for Week 2’s game against the Saints, where Jackson will profile as a high-end QB1 in the Ravens’ home opener.
  • BAL Quarterback #8
    Jackson and the Ravens engaged in contract talks throughout the offseason but never got the deal across the finish line. Jackson doesn’t have an agent, meaning he represents himself in contract negotiations. The added time and stress of that likely means neither side wants to continue contract discussions in the midst of the regular season. Jackson is under contract through the 2027 season, giving the team one more offseason to get him locked down long-term.
  • BAL Quarterback #8
    DeCosta also said he wants to get a deal done as soon as possible. Jackson currently has two seasons left on his five-year, $260 million contract. His cap hit for the 2026 season is a comfortable $34.4 million. That number balloons to $84.3 million next year. A new deal would help the Ravens spread Jackson’s cap hit over multiple seasons. Jackson is no longer one of the 10 highest-paid quarterbacks by average annual value, so he should also want to get a new deal on the books. It makes sense for both sides to come to an agreement sooner rather than later, ideally before the start of the season.
  • BAL Quarterback #8
    Doyle, 30, has drawn high praise from everyone in the Ravens organization since being hired as OC this offseason. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has called Doyle “a human computer.” “It’s a different system than what I’m accustomed to being in, and I feel like there’s going to be a lot of explosiveness this year,” Jackson said. “The way Declan Doyle calls plays and his creativity with his mind — how detailed he is — it’s mind-blowing.” Doyle is widely expected to use Jackson under center more often in 2026. Jackson has been among the NFL’s most efficient passers when lined up under center over the past couple seasons. Doyle’s Baltimore offense could lift the statistical prospects of Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews, especially if the Ravens are a little more balanced this year.
  • BAL Quarterback #8
    Spirits are reportedly high at Ravens practices. The veteran quarterback has attended more voluntary workouts than in previous years because he wants to learn the new system and terminology. Jackson believes Doyle’s creativity will lead to “a lot of explosiveness” this season, and they are reportedly keeping the defense guessing, thus far. We like to hear that. Ravens S Kyle Hamilton said Jackson, 29, “still moves like he’s at Louisville,” which is extremely encouraging, given the injury-impacted play we saw from Jackson last season. Jackson is a big-time bounce-back candidate heading into 2026.
  • BAL Quarterback #8
    The Ravens restructured Jackson’s contract earlier this offseason and he remains under contract through the 2027 season. Jackson opted not to attend some of the Ravens’ organized team activities at one point, which was thought to be a contract-related decision, but he ended up reporting late in May. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes made waves — and increased the quarterback market — with a two-year extension earlier today, bringing his annual average value up to $64 million. Waiting until next offseason to negotiate an extension could pay off for Jackson.
  • BAL Quarterback #8
    Jackson was otherwise mum on contract extension talks, saying he wants to “keep those conversations private.” He arrived at OTAs after missing the first few practices last week sparked speculation of contract disagreements; Jackson gave his first public press conference since the Ravens were eliminated in Week 18 last season on Wednesday. While he is due for an extension, Jackson and the Ravens were unable to come to an agreement earlier in the offseason and the team instead restructured the 29-year-old’s contract. There appears to be no tension as a result of extension talks, with Jackson saying he would “absolutely” want to stay in Baltimore and saying head coach Jesse Minter and his new staff feel like “a breath of fresh air.” With a new offense under OC Declan Doyle, Jackson is at OTAs to learn the playbook and get situated. A bounce-back 2026 season would increase the price on a potential new contract the Ravens would offer him in the future.

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    Colston Loveland

    CHI Tight End #84
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    Colston Loveland caught all four targets for 31 yards in the Bears’ Week 3 win over the Eagles.

    Loveland matched his to-date season total of one reception on the second play from scrimmage and narrowly missed his first touchdown of the young season after replay assist ruled him down inside the one at the start of the second quarter. The offense would turn the ball over on downs four plays later after failing to punch it in, allowing the Eagles to remain in the game for longer than they otherwise should have been. Either way, it’s a step in the right direction for the talented youngster, although the absence of Caleb Williams could further dent his fantasy upside in the immediate future. Loveland continues to be a TE1 in fantasy circles despite the slow start, which holds for when the Bears play host to the Jets in Week 4.
  • CHI Wide Receiver #15
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    Rome Odunze caught 3-of-6 targets for 44 yards in the Bears’ Week 3 win over the Eagles.

    Odunze continues to function as the deep threat in Ben Johnson’s offense, which spells trouble for his fantasy value in the immediate future considering the absence of Caleb Williams. Case Keenum got the start under center against the Eagles, and while he kept the offense on track through veteran savvy, his general lack of arm strength limited the offense to hefty rates of attacking the short-to-intermediate areas of the field. It is unclear whether Keenum or Tyson Bagent will draw the start in Week 4, but the decision could dictate whether Odunze can be inserted into fantasy rosters against the Jets.
  • CHI Wide Receiver #10
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    Luther Burden caught 7-of-11 targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ Week 3 win over the Eagles, adding seven yards on one carry.

    Burden got the scoring started with a shovel-pass touchdown on the first possession of the game and continued to be the primary engine of the offense on a night the team was led by veteran journeyman Case Keenum. Head coach Ben Johnson handily outmatched his counterpart in Sean Mannion, keeping the offense in rhythm and unpredictable throughout. Burden should continue to improve upon his early-season returns for fantasy managers that chased him up draft boards this offseason, particularly once Caleb Williams returns to the starting roster in a few weeks. In the meantime, treat Burden as an upside WR2 ahead of a Week 4 meeting with the Jets in Chicago.
  • CHI Wide Receiver #14
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    Kalif Raymond caught 6-of-7 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ Week 3 win over the Eagles.

    Raymond has now led the Bears in receiving in two of the team’s first three games, with Week 3 his best performance yet on the back of a 41-yard touchdown through busted coverage. It isn’t likely the career role player will lead the team in receiving throughout the season, but the early returns on investment must have fantasy managers ecstatic for those that either drafted him in the final round or scooped him off the wire following Week 1.
  • CHI Running Back #25
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    Kyle Monangai rushed 10 times for 31 yards in the Bears’ Week 3 win over the Eagles.

    Monangai has exactly 10 carries in all three games to start the 2026 season, which pales in comparison to lead back D’Andre Swift, the latter of whom has seen 19 or more opportunities in each game. The lack of volume relegates Monangai to handcuff status in fantasy circles for the time being, at least until bye weeks begin in Week 5. He’ll be a difficult start in Week 4 against the Jets.
  • CHI Running Back #4
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    D’Andre Swift rushed 20 times for 84 yards in the Bears’ Week 3 win over the Eagles, adding four yards on two receptions.

    Swift was unable to churn out consistent gains before the break but came alive with the team nursing a second half lead, gaining 53 of his 84 yards on five second half possessions. It was also the third straight game in which Swift handled 19 or more opportunities, something he did only seven times in all of 2025, cementing his status as a volume-driven, back-end RB1 in fantasy circles. He’ll remain a weekly start when the Bears host the Jets in Week 4.
  • CHI Quarterback #11
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    Case Keenum completed 24-of-34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears’ 27-7, Week 3 win over the Eagles, adding six yards and a touchdown on four carries.

    Head coach Ben Johnson was in his bag from the opening series, trusting Keenum to take to the air on the team’s first two plays from scrimmage. That set the tone for the remainder of the game as the Bears dominated time of possession, running 69 offensive plays to the 47 of the Eagles. Keenum was not perfect by any stretch, with no fewer than three attempts that placed the ball in immediate danger. He would escape with a clean sheet in the turnover department while exceeding expectations within the structure of Johnson’s offense, routinely delivering the football on time and where it needed to go. His counting stats were padded slightly by a 41-yard touchdown to Kalif Raymond against busted coverage in the third quarter and a fourth quarter rushing plunge from one yard out, but he did enough to guide the Bears to a 2-1 record ahead of a Week 4 meeting with the Jets. It remains unclear if Keenum will draw another start under center now that Tyson Bagent will have a full week of preparation. Neither would be an exciting fantasy option against Aaron Glenn’s New York defense.
  • PHI Wide Receiver #9
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    Makai Lemon caught 3-of-4 targets for 29 yards in the Eagles’ Week 3 loss to the Bears.

    Lemon was the target on the team’s first play from scrimmage, gaining a first down on a first down play for the Eagles for the first time all season. The offense would sputter throughout the game on their way to only 47 offensive plays run from scrimmage, capping the fantasy upside of all involved in the process. Lemon has yet to live up to his lofty draft capital through the first three games of his professional career, but he could be called on for heavier work with tight end Dallas Goedert nursing an MCL sprain. Things don’t get any easier with a matchup against the Rams on deck for Week 4, where Lemon can safely be left on fantasy benches.
  • PHI Wide Receiver #13
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    Dontayvion Wicks caught 2-of-5 targets for 32 yards in the Eagles’ Week 3 loss to the Bears.

    For his part, Wicks was consistently breaking free of coverage with smooth route-running ability, but the offense managed just over 23 minutes time of possession on 47 offensive plays, leaving all involved stuck on a sinking ship. Better fantasy days should be ahead for Wicks in the immediate future, at least for as long as tight end Dallas Goedert remains sidelined with an MCL sprain. That said, he draws a difficult matchup against the Rams in Week 4. Treat Wicks as a viable FLEX option in a tough spot.
  • PHI Tight End #86
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    Zach Ertz caught 1-of-2 targets for nine yards in the Eagles’ Week 3 loss to the Bears.

    Ertz saw his snaps managed after both signing with the team Tuesday and returning from a torn ACL suffered in 2025, grabbing one of two targets in his first game in an Eagles uniform since 2021. There is very little fantasy upside here even as Dallas Goedert nurses an MCL sprain. Ertz can safely be left on the waiver wire.