Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is "optimistic" that the team will extend superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson before the 2027 league year begins in March.
"I feel good about it," DeCosta said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley.
He added, "We would love to get a deal done as soon as possible."
Jackson is under contract for two more seasons and is set to become a free agent after the 2027 campaign.
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said in January that extending Jackson was a priority. Baltimore was unable to reach an extension with the 29-year-old before the start of the new league year in March, leading the team to restructure his contract. The move freed up about $40 million in cap space for 2026 but increased Jackson's cap hit to $84.3 million for the 2027 season.
The two-time NFL MVP doesn't have an agent and is representing himself in negotiations.
"We try to compensate our players, our best players as well as we can," DeCosta said. "You can look at that from an average standpoint, you can look at that from a guaranteed money standpoint, a term standpoint, incentives, whatever that is. We try to be fair-plus with our players. I think over time, we've proven that for the most part. It's important to us. We want to be recognized as one of the best organizations in sport."
The Ravens inked Jackson to a five-year, $260-million contract in April 2023, which made him the league's highest-paid player at the time. The negotiation was messy, as Jackson requested a trade before the sides ultimately agreed to a deal. His $52-million average salary now ranks 11th in the NFL, with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes atop the list, averaging over $63 million.
Jackson was plagued by injuries in 2025, missing five games but still throwing for 2,549 yards and 21 touchdowns as the Ravens missed the playoffs.
