General Manager Eric DeCosta said there have been "ongoing" discussions with quarterback Lamar Jackson about a potential contract extension, but he declined to offer specifics.
"I like to work kind of in the dark, quietly, and try to get as much done as we can," DeCosta said Wednesday after announcing a four-year extension with Kyle Hamilton that made him the NFL's highest-paid safety.
"We've got a lot of different things going on, we've got a lot of really good players. We've got players that deserve to be paid well and we're trying to keep those guys. Knowing that, as I've said 1,000 times, you can't keep everybody."
Jackson is signed through the 2027 season and has a salary-cap hit of $43.5 million in 2025, according to overthecap.com. But that cap hit would jump to $74.5 million in 2026 and '27.
Extending Jackson further would help frame the salary cap outlook as DeCosta and Vice President of Football Administration Nick Matteo work on short-term and long-term plans. But DeCosta reiterated his discussions with Jackson would remain private.
"I appreciate the question, but it's good to kind of keep these things with the players," DeCosta said. "That will continue to be the way we operate. I really wouldn't want to get into any specifics with any of our players and their contract negotiations. I think that hurts the process."
With Hamilton re-signed, other pending free agents following the 2025 season include tight ends Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Charlie Kolar, center Tyler Linderbaum, defensive tackle Travis Jones, outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh, fullback Patrick Ricard, and cornerback Jaire Alexander.
DeCosta acknowledged it will be difficult to re-sign all of them. He referenced the 2019 offseason when the Ravens lost Terrell Suggs, C.J. Mosley, Za'Darius Smith and Eric Weddle during free agency.
"Unfortunately, we're going to see some good players, probably in the next couple of years play for other teams," DeCosta said. "We've seen that. That's going to be something that continues. ... We'll try to get as creative as possible."
Getting Hamilton's deal finalized checked an extremely important box moving forward. DeCosta said the Ravens would continue working to maintain a roster that can compete for Super Bowls. The intent is to keep their window to compete for championships wide open.
"Being a GM on a closed-window team gives me anxiety," DeCosta said. "I don't want to be that GM. We have opportunities to sign more players, and we'll try and do that. It's just a matter of: Who can we get a deal done with?
"At some point we're going to probably have to recalibrate and say, 'We've got to nail these draft picks. We need these younger players to really be good because we can't sign every single guy back.'"
Jalyn Armour-Davis, C.J. Ravenell Claimed by Titans
Former Ravens cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday, along with defensive lineman C.J. Ravenell.
Armour-Davis, a fourth-round pick in 2022, spent three years with Baltimore but was hampered by injuries and never played more than nine games in any season. However, he was a solid performer when healthy, and the decision to release Armour-Davis on Tuesday was "agonizing" for DeCosta.
"That was a tough one, because Jalyn's had a great camp," DeCosta said. "I think in the end, kind of a nuanced decision. There's really a lot that goes into it. It's a really tough roster this year to make. The reality of it is, Keyon [Martin] and [Reuben] Lowery [III] played well enough to be on the team. The one thing was, you're talking about a corner in the last year of his contract [Armour-Davis] versus the corner that you have on your team that's going to be with you a few more years."
Ravenell joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent last season. The 6-foot-5 defensive lineman spent his rookie year on Baltimore's practice squad and flashed his growth this summer in preseason games.
Maryland Product Beau Brade Lands With Giants
Former Maryland safety Beau Brade, who spent his rookie season with the Ravens, was signed off waivers by the New York Giants after being released on Tuesday, via Jeff Ermann of Maryland Inside Sports.
DeCosta said he had hoped to sign Brade to the Ravens' practice squad. He was a consistent contributor on special teams in 2024 as a rookie after being undrafted. Brade was competing for a backup safety but was beaten out by Sanoussi Kane and Lowery.
"I thought Beau did a great job," DeCosta said. "Again, the talent that we have back there. I love Beau. I really admire Beau in many ways. Physically just a tough guy, great mentality, all football, local kid. I hold him in very high regard."
DeCosta Believes Third-Round Pick Emery Jones Jr. Will Play This Season
DeCosta said third-round rookie guard Emery Jones Jr. is expected to make his debut "probably in the near future" and contribute this season after undergoing shoulder surgery shortly after the NFL Combine in February.
Jones has not taken the field yet this summer and will begin the regular season on the reserve/non-football injury list, but DeCosta is intrigued by his potential.
"We invested a third-round pick on him," DeCosta said. "We're excited about him and what he brings to the table. I think he's going to be a fun player to watch.
"At some point he's going to get a chance to play this year. He'll practice. He's going to be a physical guy. The one thing I can tell you about Emery is, he's a physical, combative player. This guy loves to play, he kind of fits our mentality. I can't wait to get him out there."
