ESPN analyst offers nightmare Lamar Jackson contract scenario for Ravens

Lamar Jackson and his bloated 2026 cap hit are the first port of call for the Baltimore Ravens to fix this offseason under new head coach Jesse Minter.

With Jackson's contract set to count $74.5 million against the cap, the Ravens wouldn't be able to fill out their roster and make improvements unless the deal is restructured or Jackson signs an extension.

As such, we have heard rumors and reports that the Ravens might be forced to trade Lamar, which is just silly because the franchise isn't about to trade away a two-time MVP winner in the prime of his career, right?

Well, ESPN's Domonique Foxworth offered his thoughts on a potential trade on GetUp.

"It would be crazy from a team's perspective, but a lot of the leverage is in Lamar Jackson's camp right now, considering he has a 70-plus million cap hit," Foxworth said. "They kind of have to restructure it, and if he chooses to tell them that he doesn't want it restructured and he would be only willing to restructure with someone else, then he forces their hand.

"Right now, he's like we figure out the contract I want, or I don't do anything, and that cripples their ability to build out the rest of the roster, then he could potentially force this move, but the team would be nuts to do it."

More: Ravens urged to trade for 23 sack monster for Jesse Minter

Could Ravens trade Lamar?

The franchise would become the laughingstock of the NFL if they did it, and I don't see any reason why they would, but for the purposes of this piece, let's go through it.

A trade of Lamar before June 1, per Over The Cap, with his current contract, would have Baltimore eat $57 million in dead money and save only $17 million. 

But after June 1? The Ravens would only be on the hook for $22 million in dead money and save $52 million in cap space. So, it is doable, but surely the franchise wouldn't be that silly to do this move, right?

In an ideal world, Lamar restructures his contract or signs an extension, brings his cap number down, and the Ravens continue to be a Super Bowl contender.

But we know the NFL works in mysterious ways.

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