After last week’s 2026 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported that the Baltimore Ravens “would like to finalize a contract extension” with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Graziano also reported that the Ravens might be priced out of retaining star center Tyler Linderbaum, who is expected to garner “offers that exceed $20 million per year” in free agency.
The buzz around Baltimore has only intensified since then.
On Thursday, The Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Jeff McLane reported the Ravens and New England Patriots as “the most likely potential partners” in a trade for Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown. By Friday morning, The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini identified the Ravens as “a team to watch” as potential trade suitors for Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby.
None of the above has happened yet, but Jackson all but confirmed the Ravens are up to something.
On Friday afternoon, the three-time All-Pro and two-time NFL MVP took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to stir the pot. Jackson posted a scene from the 2001 classic Training Day in which Denzel Washington says “boom” before grinning menacingly.
Did Jackson finalize an extremely lucrative extension? Did the Ravens find a way to keep Linderbaum? Is Baltimore trading for Brown or Crosby? Maybe Baltimore is plotting a move nobody sees coming, or maybe Jackson just really loves Training Day. The speculation knows no bounds.
It is that time of year again, and all should be revealed soon enough. The NFL’s legal tampering period begins at noon on March 9, which allows teams to negotiate with impending unrestricted free agents. The new league year and free agency officially begin on March 11 at 4 p.m. EST.
Independent of the Ravens’ offseason moves, Jackson will be plenty motivated for revenge in 2026. The 29-year-old dealt with a litany of injuries throughout last season — most notably, a hamstring injury suffered in Week 4 and a back contusion suffered in Week 17.
Jackson played through it for a win-and-you’re-in Week 18 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which the Ravens lost on a missed Tyler Loop field goal as time expired. Baltimore finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Jackson posted 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions on 63.6% completion across 13 games in 2025. Longtime Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was fired, and Jesse Minter replaced him in January — signifying a fresh start for Jackson.
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