Ravens confident of Lamar Jackson extension and Linderbaum deal
Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is confident of agreeing a contract extension with Lamar Jackson while the team has made a “market-setting” offer to Tyler Linderbaum.
DeCosta said he is “definitely” optimistic a deal can be reached with the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player following discussions in Indianapolis.
The Ravens face a pressing deadline, as Jackson is set to count $74.5m against the salary cap this season – the second-highest figure in the league.
Managing the salary cap
Baltimore likely needs to restructure the quarterback’s deal or sign a fresh extension by the start of the league year on 11 March to free up funds for free agency.
“Lamar and I have an agreement [that] we handle business kind of in-house internally,” DeCosta said at the NFL scouting combine on Tuesday.
“I have spoken to Lamar about a lot of different things over the last month… He’s been very engaged.”
An extension would likely create $30m in cap space and secure the 29-year-old’s services for another three to four years.
Should an agreement fail to materialise, owner Steve Bisciotti has indicated the franchise would restructure the existing contract, though this would significantly raise his cap number for the final year of his deal in 2027.
Linderbaum offer on the table
Alongside negotiations with their star passer, the Ravens are prioritising a new deal for Linderbaum before free agency begins.
DeCosta confirmed the organisation has submitted a “market-setting” proposal to the 25-year-old but ruled out using the franchise tag.
“He’s proven to be, in my opinion, the best center in the league,” DeCosta added.
“We’ve had conversations since the end of the season, and at this point in time, we’ve made him a market-setting offer.”
Linderbaum is the first Baltimore offensive lineman to earn three consecutive Pro Bowl selections since Marshal Yanda’s dominant run ending in 2016.
Any new deal would likely need to exceed the $18m per season earned by Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, the current benchmark at the position.