Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson just worked out the largest NFL contract in history, and he did so while being his own agent.
On Thursday, it was announced that the Ravens extended his contract for five years with a massive payday in store for Jackson. The five-year deal includes $260 million and a guaranteed $180 million. The 26-year-old is one of the few players in the league who acts as his own agent, meaning he negotiates every dollar he gets, a skill that many well-trained agents work years to perfect. Jackson’s new deal passes that of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who recently held the biggest contract with his $255 million deal and $178 million guaranteed.
Jackson burst into the league as the last pick of the first round in 2018. The following year he secured the MVP award. Several Injuries have caused him to play just 12 games in the last two seasons, but that has not stopped him from being a major force on the field. He became eligible for an extension two years ago, though it never came to fruition until now. The new deal arrives one month after Jackson tweeted that he’d requested a trade, though coach John Harbaugh remained confident that the Florida native would remain with the team. It’s not immediately clear if their relationship is totally mended or what prompted Jackson to want a change.
A source close with direct knowledge of Jackson’s new contract told ESPN it would put him at around $52 million annually, a generous raise from his previous $32 million.
