Ravens Offered Three-Year, Fully Guaranteed Deals To QB Lamar Jackson Prior To 2023 Contract
The NFL Players Association’s appeal of its collusion grievance against the NFL was unsuccessful. The three-person appeal panel found that the league invited its clubs to come together and collectively oppose future fully guaranteed contracts in the wake of the Browns’ decision to authorize such a deal for Deshaun Watson, but the panel also determined there was not enough evidence to show the teams accepted that invitation.
Aside from the ramifications the ruling has for the league, the union, and negotiations between the two, it also included other intriguing details. The grievance was originally filed in October 2022 on behalf of three players, including Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was seeking an extension at the time and who was attempting to land a Watson-esque contract.
As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk relays, the appeal decision noted that Baltimore offered a three-year, fully guaranteed contract to Jackson on two separate occasions. Jackson declined both proposals and, in April 2023, signed a five-year, $260MM pact that included $185MM in guarantees (the first two years and part of the third were guaranteed at signing, and the rest of the guarantees locked in on a rolling basis; the fifth year contains no guaranteed money).
Aside from the fully guaranteed nature of the three-year proposals, the appeal decision does not include any other details, such as financial terms or whether either overture featured a no-tag clause. Therefore, it is impossible to truly analyze the merits of the offers and whether Jackson was wise to reject them, though it seems the Ravens were among the teams willing to resist the league’s efforts to remove fully guaranteed deals from the playbook (at least for a player of Jackson’s caliber).
Jackson, 29, rewarded the Ravens in his first season after putting pen to paper on his five-year deal by submitting his second MVP campaign and leading the team to the AFC championship game. He followed that up with an even better performance in 2024, though he finished second in MVP voting that year.
The 2025 season was a frustrating one for Jackson and the Ravens alike, as the star signal-caller struggled with injuries and Baltimore failed to qualify for the postseason. While Jackson’s legacy will ultimately be determined by whether he can lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl title, Jackson clearly represents the franchise’s best hope for a third championship.
To that end, Baltimore still wants to extend Jackson, whose current deal runs through the 2027 season. In order to conduct regular business this offseason, the Ravens freed up nearly $40MM in cap space by restructuring the contract in March, but it appears as if negotiations between the team and the self-represented player will continue. Thanks to the decision in the collusion matter, we now have a little extra context when considering those negotiations.
WR Denzel Boston Visits Ravens, Jets
The list of teams with interest in Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston continues to grow. Boston is visiting the Ravens and Jets on Saturday, per reports from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and veteran insider Jordan Schultz.
As PFR’s archives show, Boston has set up meetings with at least eight teams in the lead-up to the draft. The 6-foot-4, 212-pounder has long been considered a potential first-rounder. Some teams are bullish enough on Boston to rank him the second- or third-best receiver in a class that also includes the likes of Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, KC Concepcion, Jordyn Tyson and Omar Cooper Jr.
Boston began his four-year run at Washington on a squad loaded with quality receivers. Future NFLers Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja’lynn Polk were among the Huskies’ go-to wideouts from 2022-23, which limited Boston to seven catches in his first two years. Odunze, McMillan and Polk left for the pros in 2024, setting the stage for a Boston breakout. Over his last two years in school, Boston averaged 63 catches, 858 yards and 10 touchdowns per season. Known as a sure-handed red zone weapon, Boston registered a paltry 3.1% drop rate at Washington.
The Ravens, who own the 14th pick in the first round, have a star No. 1 receiver in Zay Flowers. But none of their other returning wideouts even reached 20 catches or 225 yards in 2025. While Rashod Bateman was a starter in Baltimore for most of the past three seasons, he has come up in trade rumors after a down year. Even if Bateman sticks around, there is room for the Ravens to make a significant addition at receiver in the draft.
Like the Ravens, the Jets have a bona fide top receiver (Garrett Wilson) and not much else. While Adonai Mitchell showed flashes after coming over in the Sauce Gardner trade with the Colts in November, the 2024 second-rounder remains unproven. The Jets have six other receivers under contract, but the group of Isaiah Williams, Arian Smith, Quentin Skinner, Jamaal Pritchett, Mac Dalena and Irvin Charles combined for a mere 34 catches last season.
There is a clear need at receiver in New York, though the team will not go in that direction with its first pick (No. 2 overall). Expectations are the Jets will use their top choice on a blue-chip defender such as David Bailey, Arvell Reese or Sonny Styles, but they could turn their attention to receiver at 16th or 33rd overall.
Early Look At Seahawks’ Sale Reveals Name Of Interest
Another NFL franchise is up for sale, and once again, record numbers are being circulated as likely valuations. The process of selling the Seahawks franchise is still extremely young, but early information indicates that the final number will almost certainly set a record for the sale of an NFL franchise.
The most recent change of ownership that required a sale was that of the Commanders in 2023. Current majority owner Josh Harris acquired the franchise and Northwest Stadium from Dan Snyder with the help of a 20-member group of limited partners for $6.05BB. According to Jonathan Jones of NFL on CBS, the Seahawks’ sale is expected to “without a doubt” reach at least $7BB.
This figure is much more in line with the original perceived value — approximately $6.59BB, per Sportico — and far under speculation following the team’s Super Bowl LX victory of somewhere from $9BB to $11BB. Over at SportsBoom, Jason La Canfora also challenged any figure in the double-digit billions. Citing opposing executives as his source, he ventured that, under the right circumstances, the sale may come close to $8.5BB, but even that would be a stretch.
Both reporters maintained that several names have been connected as potential bidders, but who those names belong to has been difficult information to come by. Jones, though, reportedly heard the name of Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer from two sources. Ballmer, the longtime Microsoft CEO, owns property in the Seattle area, and with a net worth over $120BB, he’d certainly be capable of covering the asking price. Another source cautioned Jones from going down that road, though, suggesting that Ballmer is “really a hoops guy” who isn’t expected to be interested in obtaining an NFL franchise.
In a bit of unrelated news, La Canfora teased that, after the Seahawks, the Ravens are reportedly “widely viewed as the team most likely to hit the market.” He reports that Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has openly expressed interest in selling “while he is still young enough to enjoy the spoils,” and he does not intend to pass the franchise down to his family.
Ravens Add Punter To Roster
The Ravens filled a literal hole in their roster today, adding a punter to their special teams room. After Jordan Stout departed for New York in free agency alongside three teammates and their former head coach, Baltimore didn’t have a punter under contract. There will likely be further additions to serve as competition, but per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Luke Elzinga will be signed as the first new specialist to come in for a chance at succeeding Stout.
Elzinga went undrafted out of Oklahoma last year. He did receive some scouting interest, participating in the Shrine Bowl and receiving an invitation to Titans rookie minicamp, but it looks like things have been quiet for him since then. Elzinga began his collegiate career at Central Michigan, redshirting a year before earning All-MAC honors in each of his next three seasons with the Chippewas. Elzinga entered the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining and opted to walk on for the Sooners.
Over the first half of his first season in Norman, Elzinga was used in tandem with another punter, taking short-field duties requiring accuracy to pin returners deep without touchbacks. By the second half of the season, he had assumed all punting and holding duties, and he ended the year with only two touchbacks. After a fifth season of collegiate play, he declared for the draft.
Elzinga seems like a promising candidate to compete for the Ravens’ (currently unopposed) job. He has a big leg, ending every season but one with a longest punt measuring over 62 yards, including a 76-yarder in his first game as a Chippewa, and impressive distance control, logging only 14 touchbacks in five years. As an added bonus, Elzinga has some experience throwing the football at both collegiate stops, completing all four of his only pass attempts for 86 yards. Former Ravens long-time punter Sam Koch famously maintained a perfect completion percentage, going seven-for-seven, up until the final year of career.
Again, the Ravens will likely add competition for Elzinga at some point in the offseason, so nothing is guaranteed for the new signee. Elzinga will have a head start on anyone who comes in to compete, though, as the default first name atop the depth chart.
Florida DT Caleb Banks Up To Eight Pre-Draft Visits
Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks has already completed pre-draft visits with the Chiefs, Ravens, and Cardinals, per Zach Goodall of 247 Sports. Remaining on the docket are the Lions, Titans, Broncos, Falcons, and Chargers.
The 23-year-old flew up draft boards after an impressive performance at the Combine, which featured a 5.04-second 40-yard dash and a 9-foot-6 broad jump at 327 pounds. The hype around Banks cooled after a pre-draft visit revealed a foot fracture suffered the night before he took the field in Indianapolis. Testing well on a broken foot is impressive, but after Banks missed most of the 2025 season due to a foot injury, teams are understandably wary of using a top pick on him. Banks underwent surgery in mid-March and is expected to miss some of his first NFL offseason program.
Medical concerns are almost certainly the driver behind his busy schedule. Teams will need to be comfortable with the state of his foot, especially given the multiple injuries.
But as far as talent and long-term upside goes, Banks is up there with the top defensive prospects in the draft. He checks every physical box with a 6-foot-6, 327-pound frame with 35-inch arms. His power and athleticism overwhelmed most college offensive linemen and led to constant disruption in the trenches. Banks will need to shore up his technique in the NFL, where he will not be as much of a size outlier, but he has all the tools to succeed.
It remains to be seen if Banks’ injury will drop him out of the first round. Teams are certainly interested, and it only takes one to be comfortable enough with his foot to lock him down as early as possible.
Jadeveon Clowney Interested In Ravens
Despite sitting on the free agent market until mid-September last season, edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney emerged as a rare bright spot on a porous Cowboys defense. Playing on a one-year, $3.5MM deal, Clowney notched 41 tackles (12 TFL), 8.5 sacks and four passes defensed in 13 games.
A return to Dallas looked like a strong possibility toward the end of the season, but it may not be in the cards after the hiring of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. As things stand, the Cowboys do not see Clowney as the right fit in Parker’s system, Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS reports.
If the 33-year-old Clowney signs elsewhere, he could join his eighth team ahead of his 13th season. Along with the Cowboys, the 2014 No. 1 overall pick has spent time with the Texans, Seahawks, Titans, Browns, Ravens and Panthers. In 2023, his only year in Baltimore, Clowney put together his lone 17-game campaign and tied a career high with 9.5 sacks. Three years later, Clowney would be willing to rejoin the Ravens.
“They got a lot of good guys that I can relate to in that locker room,” he told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. “I’ll definitely be open to going back to Baltimore, playing with Lamar Jackson now. It was a great time for me.”
It is unclear if the Ravens are interested in Clowney, especially after replacing former head coach John Harbaugh with Jesse Minter. But the Ravens have emphasized upgrading their pass rush this offseason, and Clowney is among the top choices left in free agency. After a blockbuster Maxx Crosby trade with the Raiders collapsed, the Ravens pivoted to free agent Trey Hendrickson on a four-year, $112MM agreement. General manager Eric DeCosta has insisted (to much outside skepticism) Baltimore wanted both Crosby and Hendrickson. Meanwhile, Dre’Mont Jones left for the Patriots in free agency, and Kyle Van Noy remains unsigned.
As of now, Tavius Robinson, 2025 second-round pick Mike Green and 2024 third-rounder Adisa Isaac are the Ravens’ main complements to Hendrickson. Considering Baltimore has 11 picks, including No. 14 overall, it would not be a surprise to see DeCosta add at least one pass rusher in the draft. The Ravens also have $29.54MM in cap space, giving them ample room to pay Clowney if they are interested in a reunion.
2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2023 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
- One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
- Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th top salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
PFR’s Offseason Outlook series examined each of these decisions in-depth, and weeks remain until this year’s deadline. In the meantime, we will use the space below to track all the 2027 option decisions from around the league:
- QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): To be exercised
- QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): Exercised
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM): Exercised
- QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM)
- CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
- LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Tyree Wilson, Raiders ($14.48MM)
- RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM): Exercised
- DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM)
- RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM): Exercised
- G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM): To be exercised
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM)
- DE Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM)
- LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM): To be declined
- DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): To be exercised
- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM)
- CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): Exercised
- LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM)
- DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM)
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised
- WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM)
- WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): To be exercised
- WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): To be exercised
- CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM)
- TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): Exercised
- DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM)
- RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM)
- DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM): Exercised
- DE Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM)
- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($13.75MM)
Ravens President Sashi Brown Addresses Maxx Crosby Trade
Ravens team president Sashi Brown downplayed the team’s controversial decision to back out of a trade for Maxx Crosby at league meetings this week.
“It’s unfortunate, but sometimes these things do happen – no fault of Maxx, ours or the Raiders,” Brown said (via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley). “It’s just kind of how it played out.”
The Ravens have drawn criticism for their handling of the situation, including a three-day gap between the teams agreeing to the deal and Crosby’s physical in Baltimore. By the time the Ravens informed the Raiders of their decision, two days of the legal tampering period had already passed. That impacted not just the two teams involved, but the other 30 who had made their free agency plans under the assumption that the trade would go through.
The Raiders had already committed significant sums to new signings, while the Ravens declined to re-sign their top pending free agents with the expectation of taking on Crosby’s sizable contract. Las Vegas was able to keep its existing commitments after the reversal, but Baltimore, of course, could not come calling after its former players who already had deals with other teams. Other teams like the Cowboys, who had expressed interest in Crosby, had already moved on to other options – in Dallas’ case, Rashan Gary.
The situation has highlighted the importance of physicals in processing any NFL transaction.
“This is not the first time it’s going to happen. It will not be the last,” Brown continued, noting that the Browns backed out of their agreement to sign A.J. Epenesa on Sunday. “It’s unfortunate and rare, especially in a high-profile case like this, but that’s why the processes are in place.”
Brown also acknowledged concerns that the situation would impact the Ravens’ standing with other teams.
“We’ve got strong and long relationships across the league,” he said. “We have emphasized the importance of doing things the right way. We’ll continue to do that.”
AFC Contract Details: Titans, Hawkins, Ravens, Flacco, Bengals, Browns, Broncos, Colts, Patriots
Here are the latest details from contracts agreed to around the AFC, with many coming out of Nashville:
- Daniel Bellinger, TE (Titans). Three years, $24MM. Bellinger secured $14MM guaranteed at signing, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. This covers $4.91MM of Bellinger’s $5.94MM 2027 base salary, per OverTheCap.
- Jaylinn Hawkins, S (Ravens). Two years, $10MM. Hawkins landed $5MM guaranteed at signing, per Wilson. None of Hawkins’ 2027 compensation is guaranteed.
- Jacob Martin, DE (Titans). Two years, $9MM. Tennessee authorized $4.5MM fully guaranteed, Wilson tweets. None of Martin’s 2027 compensation is guaranteed.
- Jordan Elliott, DT (Titans). Two years, $8MM. The Titans authorized a $3.24MM guarantee at signing for the former Browns and 49ers D-tackle, Wilson tweets. None of Elliott’s 2027 compensation is guaranteed.
- Austin Schlottmann, OL (Titans). Two years, $7MM. The veteran interior offensive lineman received $2.99MM guaranteed at signing, Wilson tweets. None of Schlottmann’s 2027 compensation is guaranteed.
- Joshua Williams, CB (Titans). Two years, $6.75MM. Like Elliott, Wilson adds Williams secured $3.24MM guaranteed at signing. One of several Chiefs DBs relocating this month, Williams will not see any 2027 guarantees on this deal.
- Joe Flacco, QB (Bengals). One year, $6MM. Flacco’s contract contains $4MM guaranteed, SI.com’s Jay Morrison notes. Generally against void years, the Bengals included two in this contract. Flacco’s cap hit will check in at $3.3MM as a result. Due to the void years, Flacco not being re-signed before the 2027 league year begins will result in a $2.7MM dead money charge. There are $3.5MM in incentives here, Morrison adds. Among the bottom-tier bumps in play, Flacco would see $1MM if he plays 60% of Cincinnati’s offensive snaps in a playoff season. If the Bengals do not make the playoffs and the 19th-year QB plays 60% of the snaps, he would see $250K. More notably, any Bengals win in which Flacco plays at least 60% of the snaps will bring $125K; this incentive has an eight-game cap.
- Durham Smythe, TE (Ravens). One year, $3MM. The former Dolphins and Bears tight end secured $2MM guaranteed at signing, Wilson tweets.
- Daniel Thomas, S (Browns). Two years, $3MM. Thomas landed just more than $1MM fully guaranteed, according to Wilson. No guarantees are in place for 2027.
- Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB (Colts). One year, $2.73MM. This contract includes $1.5MM fully guaranteed, Wilson adds.
- Mo Alie-Cox, TE (Colts). One year, $2.59MM. Like the Lions’ Malcolm Rodriguez deal, this contract is a four-year qualifying offer. It will come with $2.19MM fully guaranteed, Wilson adds. Because this is a four-year qualifying contract, Alie-Cox will count just $1.4MM toward the Colts’ cap.
- Tony Adams, S (Titans). One year, $2.14MM. Among the many former Robert Saleh-era Jets joining the Titans this offseason, Adams will see $1MM fully guaranteed on this deal (via Wilson).
- Kalia Davis, DT (Browns). One year, $2MM. The veteran interior D-lineman secured $1.75MM guaranteed at signing, according to Wilson.
- Corey Bojorquez, P (Browns). One year, $2MM. Bojorquez will see $938K guaranteed at signing on his third Browns contract, according to Wilson.
- Tycen Anderson, S (Broncos). One year, $1.5MM. The only outside Broncos free agent signing thus far, the veteran special-teamer received $650K guaranteed, 9News’ Mike Klis notes.
- James Hudson, T (Patriots). One year, $1.4MM. The Giants jettisoned Hudson’s two-year, $12MM deal months after benching him in Week 2. The New England swing tackle secured $538K guaranteed at signing, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss tweets.
Ravens Optimistic DT Nnamdi Madubuike Will Recover From Neck Injury
Nnamdi Madubuike was limited to just two games in 2025. A neck injury resulted in a move to injured reserve early in the season, and it eventually became clear a return to action would not be possible by the end of the year. 
Since then, very few updates regarding Madubuike’s status have emerged. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle has offered hints a full recovery could be possible, however. It appears that feeling is in place within the organization as well. ESPN’s Jamison Hensley writes there has been “growing optimism” with respect to Madubuike being able to return.
A full recovery would of course be welcomed by all involved. Madubuike established himself as one of the league’s top pass rushing defensive linemen while playing out his rookie contract in Baltimore. He received the franchise tag in 2024 before signing an extension averaging $24.5MM per year. The former third-rounder played a full campaign during the first season of that contract, but his early 2025 neck injury resulted in a much different story.
Madubuike managing to heal in time for next season would give the Ravens a key figure back in their front seven. As things stand, making at least one DT addition via the draft is seen as a necessity. The position is thin at the moment even with Madubuike projected to be available in the future. The 28-year-old will be counted on to reprise a full-time starting role if/when he is back in the fold.
Travis Jones and Broderick Washington are also on the books for next season, although the latter could be a release candidate. Moving on from Washington would increase the need for new arrivals along the D-line over the remainder of the offseason. No free agent signings have taken place yet, while Brent Urban and Taven Bryan remain on the open market. The draft could yield at least one new option on the interior, and the Ravens’ plans on that front will no doubt be partially driven by Madubuike’s prognosis.
The Texas A&M product notched 13.5 sacks in 2023, earning a second-team All-Pro nod along the way. A return to that level of production would pay major dividends for Baltimore’s defense, and it appears that could be possible barring a setback on the health front.