Urgency Level for Signing Top Contract Extension Candidates
The Ravens recently took care of a major piece of business by signing running back Derrick Henry to a two-year contract extension, and more extensions could be on the horizon.
The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec identified more than a dozen players who are extension candidates. Here's a look at four, along with Zrebiec's comments on the urgency level of getting a deal done:
QB Lamar Jackson (signed through 2027)
"Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh acknowledged this offseason that the organization has discussed a new deal for Jackson. How aggressive the Ravens have been is unclear. General Manager Eric DeCosta is resolute about not revealing the nature of his talks with Jackson. Whether the Ravens extend Jackson now or wait until next offseason, a new deal is necessary in the next 10 months. It needs to become an organizational priority."
S Kyle Hamilton (signed through 2026)
"The Ravens picked up the fifth-year option on Hamilton, hoping that's a precursor to an extension. Hamilton has said he's in no rush to get an extension. Still, each new safety deal around the league drives Hamilton's price even higher. He's almost certainly going to be the highest-paid safety in football. It's just a matter of when."
C Tyler Linderbaum (signed through 2025)
"There's always the franchise tag if the Ravens can't extend Linderbaum over the next 10 months, but that would be prohibitive. After not picking up his fifth-year option, the Ravens are on the clock if they want to extend Linderbaum, and they say they do. The price of top centers is clear. There shouldn't be ambiguity here."
DT Travis Jones (signed through 2025)
"Jones isn't a priority in the same way as guys such as Linderbaum or Hamilton. However, he could be the perfect example of a 'year early rather than a year late' guy. If he takes a big step in his fourth season, he's going to cost so much more."
If Jackson Ever Gives Up No. 8, Isaiah Likely Wants It
Another leading contract extension candidate is tight end Isaiah Likely, who is entering the final year of his contract.
During an appearance on the "Up & Adams" show Wednesday, Likely made it clear that he wants to remain a Raven.
"The Flock knows I love them," Likely told Kay Adams. "I love being here. I love being a Raven. … I let my agent take care of that with the Ravens' front office."
Likely also discussed the possibility of changing his jersey number from 80 to a singledigit. He said No. 8 might be on the table at some point, noting that Jackson has said he'd switch to No. 1 if the Ravens win the Super Bowl.
"I'm gonna ask him," Likely said. "I'm like his little brother, so it'd be crazy for him to say no – unless he wants to double retire [his jersey numbers]."
Ravens Among Top Three Contenders to Dethrone Eagles
NFL.com’s Jeffti Chadiha ranked the top six teams who could dethrone the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, and he placed the Ravens at No. 3.
"It's not like Baltimore doesn't compare favorably with Philadelphia," Chadiha wrote. "These teams played in Week 13 last season, and the Ravens outgained the Eagles by 120 yards (372-252). The issue was former Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who missed two field goals and an extra point in that 24-19 loss. The Ravens had too many moments like that in 2024, but there also should be serious excitement about this team heading into the fall.
"There's no doubt the Ravens will be back in the mix for a championship, just looking at the talent in that building. Whether they get over the hump depends entirely on how they meet those moments in January."
Chadiha put the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 1, followed by the Buffalo Bills. The Detroit Lions were No. 4. The Ravens play all three within the first four weeks of the season.
On a side note, Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano looked at the projected win totals for each team and predicted whether they will go over or under. He had the Ravens going over 11.5 wins.
"At some point, you'd think the Ravens will break through the wall they've hit the past few seasons in the AFC postseason," Manzano wrote. "It's tough to tell whether this is the year Lamar Jackson gets to the Super Bowl, but the Ravens have at least proven to be a consistent winner. Baltimore has won at least 10 games in five of Jackson's six years as a starter, including 12 wins last season and 13 the year before. Don't expect this loaded team to stop contending in 2025."
Jackson and Zay Flowers Crack Top 10 QB-WR Duo Rankings
One of the many reasons for optimism about the Ravens' championship aspirations is the connection that Jackson has formed with wide receiver Zay Flowers over the past two seasons.
FoxSports.com ranked Jackson and Flowers as the eighth-best quarterback-wide receiver duo in the league.
"Jackson was already one of the game's best quarterbacks before the Ravens selected Flowers in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, the addition of Flowers has helped make Jackson one of the league's top passers, too," FoxSports.com wrote. "In 2024, Jackson threw for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and four interceptions as he led the league in yards per attempt (8.8) and passer rating (119.6). Flowers contributed with 74 receptions for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns in his second season in the league."
Videos surfaced on social media this week of Jackson and Flowers putting in the work together.
Post-June 1 Free Agents Ravens Could Target
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell analyzed each AFC team's offseason and handed out superlatives. He named the Ravens the most likely to sign a post-June 1 free agent.
"Every team pays lip service to the value of compensatory picks, but few teams actually invest as much in the process as the Ravens," Barnwell wrote. "With a steady stream of talented draftees coming through the organization, General Manager Eric DeCosta has been comfortable letting players leave in free agency while using the draft and the post-June 1 market to supplement his roster. After June 1, free agent additions no longer impact the compensatory pick formula, allowing DeCosta & Co. to lock in their selections for the next draft.
"With the Ravens currently projected to add two fifth-round picks and a seventh-round selection in the 2026 draft, it's no surprise they've been relatively quiet in free agency. The only player they've signed who affects the compensatory formula is wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who received a one-year pact for $5 million."
Barnwell said offensive line and inside linebacker are two positions the Ravens could target in free agency.
"Though they added much-needed help for their offensive line in the draft, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them look for some veteran interior help, with former Cardinals guard Will Hernandez the best remaining option," Barnwell wrote. "They have also been happy to take on reclamation projects in the past, and there's an obvious one available: former offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., who wore out his welcome with the Browns after being a top-10 pick in 2020.
"Front seven depth should also be a priority. Inside linebacker was a problem for Baltimore last season, as Trenton Simpson was eventually benched for long-time special teams player Chris Board. Kyzir White is still available on the open market; getting a linebacker with his experience and playmaking ability would represent good value for the Ravens."
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: Late for Work: Steelers First-Round Pick Says He’s Most Excited to Face Derrick Henry
- Jackson was the No. 2 pick in a quarterback draft for the 2025 season on “The Mina Kimes Show.” The Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes was No. 1, Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen was No. 3, and Cincinnati Bengals'
