Lamar Jackson rises to top of NFL with megabucks contract extension!

Baltimore, Ravens - Lamar Jackson will remain with the Baltimore Ravens after all after the quarterback sealed a sensational contract extension!

Lamar Jackson will remain with the Baltimore Ravens after agreeing to a new five-year contract extension.
Lamar Jackson will remain with the Baltimore Ravens after agreeing to a new five-year contract extension.  © Patrick Smith / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

After months of negotiating and public posturing, the Ravens and Jackson agreed to a five-year contract extension on Thursday.

The Ravens' official Twitter account confirmed the news by posting a video of the 2019 NFL MVP celebrating the next five years in Baltimore.

Jackson's new deal makes him the highest-paid player in the league with a total contract value of $260 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, reportedly including $185 million in guarantees.

Announced just hours before the start of the 2023 NFL Draft, the contract ends a months-long negotiation process that at times was portrayed as tense and adversarial.

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While the details of the contract have not been publicly confirmed, both sides reportedly used Jalen Hurts' new deal with the Philadelphia Eagles as a starting point.

After leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance, Hurts received a five-year extension worth up to $255 million, with $179 million in guaranteed money.

Jackson’s demands behind the delay

Jackson had reportedly been asking the Ravens for a fully guaranteed contract.
Jackson had reportedly been asking the Ravens for a fully guaranteed contract.  © Greg Fiume / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Jackson had reportedly been seeking a fully guaranteed contract – a demand that had, until this week, caused an impasse in negotiations.

On March 7, Baltimore placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback, allowing other teams an opportunity to sign Jackson to an offer sheet in exchange for two first-round draft picks.

Three weeks later, Jackson announced on Twitter he had requested a trade earlier this offseason.

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Jackson is 45-16 as a starter in the regular season and was voted the 2019 MVP after leading the league with 36 touchdown passes and rushing for a quarterback-record 1,206 yards.

In 70 career games, Jackson has completed 63.7% of his passes for 12,209 yards, 101 touchdowns, and 38 interceptions. He has added 4,437 rushing yards and 24 scores on the ground.

Cover photo: Patrick Smith / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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