Lamar Jackson’s latest injury has complicated the Ravens’ looming contract decision. The two-time MVP needs surgery on his right thumb and could miss the rest of the season, adding to recent absences just as he and Baltimore prepare to negotiate an extension. His production strengthens his case for another record-setting deal, but his growing injury history raises the stakes for a franchise that has struggled without him.

By the Numbers
  • Jackson’s current contract is worth $260 million over five years and runs through the 2027 season; he has no guaranteed salary remaining after this season.
  • He is 34-17 in 51 regular-season starts since signing the deal, with a 110.1 passer rating.
  • In four games before Week 8, he was on pace for career highs in completion rate (70.8%), yards per attempt (10.1) and air yards per attempt (10.9).
  • Baltimore is 7-14 without Jackson since his first start in 2018, including the playoffs.
  • Patrick Mahomes leads quarterback pay at $64 million per year; Jackson’s average annual value is $52 million.
Yes, But

Jackson’s MVP-level résumé and strong recent efficiency support a major payday. But he turns 30 in January, has missed games with multiple injuries, and a new record-setting contract would carry real risk. Their last negotiation was contentious, including a trade request, so both sides have reason to approach talks cautiously.

State of Play
  • Jackson needs surgery for a right thumb injury suffered on his first play back from a three-game absence with a high ankle sprain; he could miss the rest of the season.
  • The Ravens face a stark choice: extend him or consider a trade, with a full rebuild appearing difficult given the team’s record without him.
  • Several young quarterbacks are also expected to pursue extensions, adding pressure to a market already led by Mahomes.
What's Next

Jackson and the Ravens will have to weigh the size and structure of an extension against his injury outlook and the team’s dependence on him. Whether he seeks to reset the market or settle for a deal among the league’s top contracts could shape how quickly negotiations progress.

Bottom Line

Baltimore has strong reasons to pay Jackson—and serious reasons to hesitate. The challenge is securing its franchise quarterback without letting injury risk or a prolonged standoff jeopardize the team’s future.