Could Lamar Jackson’s Thumb Injury Setback Leave the Ravens Headed Toward Divorce?
Injury clouds Jackson’s future
Jackson injured the thumb on his throwing hand and needs surgery. The injury could keep him out through the end of the campaign, though that outcome is not certain.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano described a season-ending injury as a significant possibility, not a settled fact. If it happens, the Ravens and Jackson would enter an offseason with major contract questions.
Contract decisions loom
Graziano wrote that Jackson’s projected salary-cap figure for 2027 is $84.34 million, giving Baltimore a reason to consider an extension to reduce that number. Jackson was not interested in discussing an extension before the latest injury, as he also was not the previous offseason.
Jackson’s contract prevents the Ravens from using the franchise tag to retain his rights after 2027. The team had been expected to pursue a lucrative extension this coming offseason, but the injury could change its calculations.
Trade talk depends on Jackson
If Baltimore is uncomfortable entering the final year of Jackson’s deal without an extension, trade discussions could become legitimate, Graziano wrote. Jackson’s no-trade clause gives him a say in where he would go.
The article raised the possibility that general manager Eric DeCosta and owner Steve Bisciotti could reconsider matching Jackson’s asking price. Jackson may seek to become the NFL’s highest-paid player when he signs his next deal.
Jets possibility remains speculative
An August report suggested the New York Jets could pursue Mike Tomlin as head coach in January and pair him with Jackson before the 2027 season. The article also raised the possibility that Baltimore could accept draft picks from New York in a trade.
That scenario remains uncertain. The article’s headline referred to a possible Ravens-Jackson split, while its reporting described a trade only as a potential outcome tied to the injury and contract talks.
Key points
- Jackson’s thumb injury requires surgery and could end his season, but that outcome is not confirmed.
- His projected 2027 salary-cap figure is $84.34 million, according to Dan Graziano.
- Jackson has not been interested in extension talks and holds a no-trade clause.
- A possible Jets trade involving Jackson remains speculative.