A disappointing Baltimore Ravens season ended dramatically when rookie kicker Tyler Loop failed to secure a 44-yard field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers right at the finish line, resulting in an 8-9 record and the dismissal of longtime coach John Harbaugh.

Lamar Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, faced scrutiny about his professionalism and injury challenges, which kept him out of four games. Following his hamstring injury, his performance dipped until a late surge against the Steelers where he achieved a passer rating of 156.3.

He is currently looking at a hefty contract situation, with two years remaining worth $104 million on the five-year, $260 million deal signed in 2023. His 2026 cap number reaching $74.5 million presents challenges for the franchise, leading to speculations about Jackson’s future with the team.

Amidst these discussions, the Ravens have four potential paths regarding Jackson: maintaining his current cap hit, extending his contract, trading him, or restructuring his current deal. Each route will carry significant financial implications that will shape the team moving forward.

Carrying Jackson’s 2026 Salary Cap Number

Jackson faces the third-largest cap number when compared to other quarterbacks in the league, following Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Maintaining a cap hit of $74.5 million raises concerns at nearly 25% of the salary cap for 2026, which would be unprecedented. Nonetheless, the Ravens harbor options to relieve some burdens while potentially maximizing Jackson’s contributions in the future.

For further discussions on extending Jackson’s contract or trading him, those scenarios will hinge on the Ravens’ negotiations and the draft capital they seek in return if they consider a trade.

With the upcoming offseason being critical, all eyes will be on what decision the Ravens make about their star quarterback.