Breaking News: It is anticipated that Lamar Jackson, the quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, would receive a nine-year, $846 million contract this summer, with an average yearly salary of $70 million. Making news among NFL supporters

In what may become the most monumental contract in NFL history, sources close to the situation report that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is expected to sign a jaw-dropping nine-year, $846 million contract this summer. The record-breaking deal would carry an average annual salary of $70 million, shattering every existing benchmark for player compensation in professional football.

The news has sent shockwaves across the NFL landscape, igniting reactions from players, analysts, and fans alike. For Jackson, it’s a landmark moment that not only underscores his elite value to the Ravens franchise but also redefines what is financially possible for top-tier quarterbacks in today’s NFL.

The $846 million figure obliterates previous quarterback records, including the five-year, $275 million deal signed by Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow in 2023 and Patrick Mahomes’ 10-year, $450 million extension with the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2020. Lamar Jackson’s new contract will not only surpass both in total value but will also set a new record in average annual salary—$70 million per year.

To put that into perspective, Jackson’s yearly earnings will nearly double what Mahomes makes annually and outpace star contracts in other major sports leagues, including MLB, NBA, and global soccer. If finalized as reported, the deal would also establish Jackson as the highest-paid athlete in North American sports history in terms of average salary.

For the Baltimore Ravens, this commitment represents more than just retaining a franchise quarterback. It is a declaration of their belief that Jackson is not only the present but also the long-term future of their organization. It is a signal that they are willing to bet on his unique style of play, his dynamic leadership, and his ability to keep the franchise competitive for the next decade.

“Lamar Jackson is one of one,” a Ravens front office source reportedly told The Athletic. “You don’t just pay for what he’s done; you pay for what you believe he’s about to do. We believe he’s entering the prime of his career.”

This belief, however, comes with significant risk. Jackson’s playing style—a mix of elusive rushing and aggressive downfield passing—exposes him to higher physical wear and tear than more traditional pocket passers. While he’s remained largely healthy, concerns have persisted over his ability to stay on the field long-term.

The team appears undeterred.

“Durability is a concern with every elite athlete,” the same source added. “But we’re not paying for caution—we’re paying for wins.”

Jackson’s journey to this point has been anything but conventional. Drafted 32nd overall in 2018 out of Louisville, the dynamic quarterback silenced critics quickly by winning the NFL MVP in his second season. His electric running, improved passing, and leadership helped redefine Baltimore’s offensive identity, and he has consistently kept the Ravens in postseason contention.

The road to his historic payday was turbulent. Just a year ago, Jackson found himself at the center of prolonged contract negotiations, even representing himself without an agent. He ultimately signed a five-year, $260 million deal in 2023 with $185 million guaranteed after a standoff that nearly led to a trade. But it seems that contract was just the beginning of an evolving relationship between Jackson and the Ravens.

Now, two years into that deal, Baltimore appears ready to tear up the existing contract and rewrite the NFL’s financial playbook altogether.

As expected, the news has sparked a flurry of commentary from around the NFL. Players, former players, and insiders quickly took to social media to weigh in on the implications of the colossal deal.

In Baltimore, the news has caused a mixture of euphoria and cautious optimism. Jackson is arguably the most beloved Raven since Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, and many fans see this as the ultimate validation of their faith in his leadership.

“This is the best day ever. I’ve been waiting to see the team commit to Lamar long-term,” said lifelong Ravens fan Tanya Devereux outside M&T Bank Stadium. “Now it’s time to get that Super Bowl.”

Still, not everyone is sold on the enormous cost.

“It’s exciting, no doubt,” said Derrick Wyman, another fan. “But $846 million? That’s a big gamble. I just hope we don’t hamstring the team financially and end up like the post-Rodgers Packers.”

Jackson’s reported deal is bound to have ripple effects throughout the NFL. Quarterbacks nearing contract negotiations—like Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars), Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins), and Justin Herbert (Chargers)—may now have an entirely new benchmark to compare their value against.

Front offices around the league may be forced to reassess how much cap space they can reasonably allocate to a single position, especially as the salary cap continues to rise. In 2025, the NFL cap jumped to a record $275 million. Even so, a contract like Jackson’s could make it more difficult to build a complete team around a high-paid quarterback.

Several agents anonymously expressed concern to Pro Football Talk that Jackson’s deal may “break the system,” while others praised it for pushing the envelope in favor of players.

This isn’t just about football. Lamar Jackson has evolved into one of the NFL’s most marketable stars. With endorsement deals, a massive social media following, and international appeal, Jackson is a brand unto himself. His ability to remain grounded and community-focused, while also being electric on the field, has made him a uniquely valuable asset to the league and the Ravens.

NFL executives know this.

“Lamar’s value transcends touchdowns and yards,” said one unnamed team owner. “He sells jerseys. He fills stadiums. He makes the NFL money. This deal reflects that reality.”

So what’s next for Jackson and the Ravens?

If the contract is finalized this summer as anticipated, it would free the team to structure roster moves around a known long-term financial framework. Baltimore would also need to lean heavily on younger, cheaper talent to balance out the books. Draft strategy, free agent priorities, and salary cap gymnastics will become more essential than ever.

But for now, the franchise has its face for the next decade.

The biggest question now shifts to performance. With the contract pressure removed, will Lamar finally lead the Ravens back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2013?

Lamar Jackson’s anticipated $846 million contract is not just a headline—it’s a defining moment in sports history. It’s a statement about how far the NFL has come in valuing dynamic playmakers, about how powerful individual brand value can be, and about the confidence the Ravens have in the most electric quarterback in football.

In 2018, Jackson famously said, “They gonna get a Super Bowl out of me. Believe that.” With this new deal, the Ravens are betting $846 million that he’ll deliver on that promise.