Lamar

Jackson

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jackson, who attended the team’s voluntary minicamp in April, did not show up for OTAs last week, prompting questions about whether his contract situation was a real issues headed into the 2026 season. New Ravens head coach Jesse Minter told reporters last week that he has talked with Jackson and that he knew when his franchise quarterback would decide to show up for OTAs as the team learns a new offense under OC Declan Doyle. Coming off a down year in 2025, Jackson will look to bounce back as a passer and as a runner in 2026.

Jackson has not always attended voluntary portions of the Ravens’ offseason program in years past, but did attend voluntary minicamp in April. The Ravens have been hoping to reach a new contract extension with the 29-year-old before the start of the season, though a deal is yet to emerge. New head coach Jesse Minter said, “we’ve had some great conversations; know when he’s going to be back.” Jackson seems to still be in good standing with the team and looks to be more involved with voluntary workouts under a new head coach. He has yet to arrive at OTAs, but Minter’s words demonstrate little concern just yet.