REJECTED DEAL : Lamar Jackson has refused to renew his contract with his team Baltimore Ravens because of…… see more

REJECTED DEAL: Lamar Jackson Refuses to Renew Contract with Baltimore Ravens Because of Guaranteed Money Dispute

Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson has reportedly declined to finalize a contract extension this offseason, with deeply rooted tension over guarantees and trust issues echoing from his previous negotiation standoff.

💼 Why Jackson Pushed Back

• Fully‐guaranteed contract demand
  Jackson is holding firm on his long‐standing demand for a fully guaranteed deal, akin to the full guarantees received by Deshaun Watson in 2022. During his 2023 negotiations, Jackson rejected two three‑year proposals the Ravens considered fully guaranteed—both fell short of his benchmarks (SI, SI).
• Bad blood from leaked negotiations
  Sources say Jackson was “ticked off” after private details from the rocky 2023 extension talks leaked to the media. That breach eroded his confidence in the front office’s discretion, making him skittish about renewing .
• Massive cap hit looming
  With his current deal cresting at $74.5 million in cap charges starting in 2026, both sides agree a new deal is essential. But Jackson appears unwilling to lock in another contract unless it fully secures his financial future (The Washington Post).

⏳ Status of Talks

General Manager Eric DeCosta has initiated “introductory” conversations post-minicamp and OTAs, but progress remains stalled (baltimoreravens.com). Jackson himself, maintaining a typically reserved posture, has declined to publicly comment on his contract state (baltimoreravens.com).

🔍 The Players’ Perspective

• From Jackson’s side: He wants guaranteed financial security, not partial protections. Having already climbed to become one of the league’s highest earners, he’s aiming for a deal that reflects his value and mobility, without risking performance or injury setbacks.
• From the Ravens’ side: The team acknowledges Jackson’s talent and position at the top of the QB market, but remains cautious about offering long-term guarantees due to his dual-threat play and injury history (Baltimore Beatdown).

📆 What’s at Stake

• Upcoming cap crunch: Jackson’s current contract is set to burden the Ravens’ salary cap from 2026 onward unless renegotiated (SI).
• Locker room and team morale: With pivotal stars like Tyler Linderbaum, Mark Andrews, and Kyle Hamilton up for extensions, the team is closely monitoring Jackson’s status as the cornerstone of its offseason strategy (SI).
• Fan and media scrutiny: The memory of Jackson’s 2023 trade threat and messy public discourse still looms large—raising the stakes for any missteps this time around.

🏁 Next Moves

• Summer negotiations ramp up
  As training camp approaches, dialogue will likely intensify. Key sticking points include the length of guarantees, cap structure, and wording that ensures Jackson’s financial safety regardless of health.
• Postseason stakes
  Baltimore wants to keep Jackson locked in well before the 2026 cap hit—else risk depleting wildfire resources on other roster needs.

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TL;DR

• What’s happening: Lamar Jackson has declined to renew, citing insufficient guarantees and lingering trust issues after publicly exposed negotiations.
• Why it matters: His current deal balloons to $74.5 M in 2026; renegotiation is critical for cap health and roster planning.
• What’s next: Talks are in the early stages—expect the heat to escalate through summer as both sides iron out specifics.