Ravens fail to address huge, franchise-altering problem in free agency

We knew that heading into free agency, the Baltimore Ravens needed to figure out which path to take with two-time MVP winner Lamar Jackson.

He had a cap hit of $74.5 million, and the Ravens could either sign him to an extension or restructure his current deal.

The franchise couldn't get an extension done, so they moved money around to allow them to spend in free agency. 

But as Sports Illustrated's Eva Geitheim explains, the Ravens aren't exactly in a good spot with Lamar.

"One key storyline going forward, though, is Lamar Jackson’s contract situation," Geitheim writes. "Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti made it clear back in January that he wanted to get an extension with Jackson done before the start of free agency. 

"That didn’t happen, and the Ravens instead restructured his contract. Currently, Jackson is slated to become a free agent in 2028 and the Ravens will try to get a deal done with their MVP-winning quarterback later than preferred once again."

More: Was Mike McCarthy's Steelers offensive scheme accidently revealed?

Will Jackson get an extension?

Surely he will, right?

We can't see the Ravens allowing one of the best quarterbacks in football to walk out the door in a couple of years' time. That would be foolish.

But we also know the NFL is a never-say-never league, and depending on how the next year or two go, Lamar might want to explore his options, as Mike Evans did.

That would be a nightmare scenario for the Ravens, and surely Eric DeCosta and the front office are working feverishly to get something done with the MVP winner.

Because if they don't, and allow him to walk out the door, one can only imagine the backlash that would create.

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