Tyler Linderbaum. Kyle Hamilton. Lamar Jackson. That’s the shortlist — and also the very expensive one — of Baltimore Ravens stars either in line for critical contract discussions. The Ravens have made difficult cap decisions before, but the next few months will push that strategy to its absolute limit. The clock is ticking, and every move they make will impact the direction of the franchise.
Linderbaum is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons and is one of the best centers in the league. Hamilton might be the most versatile defender in football. And Jackson, already a two-time MVP, is staring at a future cap hit that could top $74 million if left untouched. The front office already knows these talks are coming. The question is whether they can pull off the kind of financial gymnastics needed to keep this core together.
Baltimore’s approach to the offseason has been calculated. They’ve taken care of the roster’s depth, added upside in the draft, and continued building around a team that should compete deep into January. But now the heavy lifting begins. There’s no question who needs to get paid. The challenge is making everything work.
Massive contract extensions are looming over Baltimore’s 2025 plan
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently named both Lamar Jackson and Kyle Hamilton as top candidates to reset the market at their positions. Jackson is already making $52 million annually, but with other quarterbacks topping that number, an extension could push him well beyond Dak Prescott’s league-high $60 million per year. Baltimore has already started those internal conversations, and it’s clear both sides know what’s at stake.
On the other side of the ball, Hamilton is shaping up to become the highest-paid safety in the league. He’s eligible for an extension now and carries the kind of production, versatility, and age that pushes the ceiling of what safeties get paid. The Lions recently handed Kerby Joseph $21.5 million per year, and Hamilton’s resume already makes that look outdated. Baltimore picked up his fifth-year option, but they’ll want to get out ahead of the price tag before it climbs even further.
Linderbaum’s case is a little different but no less urgent. The Ravens declined his fifth-year option not because of performance, but because the number — over $23 million — didn’t line up with market rates for interior linemen. Per Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder, the Ravens are expected to prioritize an extension before training camp. And they should. He's been a model of consistency in three seasons, hasn’t allowed a sack in two years, and remains the engine of one of the most physical run games in football.
All three contracts are going to carry weight. And with names like Odafe Oweh, Travis Jones, and Isaiah Likely also nearing the end of rookie deals, the Ravens are quickly reaching a point where every dollar counts. Navigating this stretch successfully will require more than just cap space. It’s going to take vision, timing, and a front office that knows exactly how much it can afford to spend without sacrificing what makes this team dangerous. The pieces are already in place. Now comes the financial high wire act to hold them all together.