Ravens' contract clock on explosive weapon forces Eric DeCosta into a corner

The Baltimore Ravens’ 2026 offseason is going to be a fun one, but it's also going to be a difficult one.

Baltimore already has the hardest part out of the way. They've gone through a coaching overhaul after the firing of John Harbaugh, which was headlined by the hiring of Jesse Minter. With all the coaching changes, you can already make the case that they’ve improved significantly since the end of their 2025 disaster.

The front office will continue to look for improvements on the roster. It starts with pressing contract decisions with guys currently on the roster and those who are pending free agents. One of the most under-the-radar moves they’ll have to make is whether or not to accept wide receiver Zay Flowers’ fifth-year option.

According to Spotrac, Flowers’ option is expected to cost the Ravens $28 million. That's nearly four million higher than Seattle Seahawks wide receiver and reigning Offensive Player of the Year, Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Talk about a high price to pay for drafting so well.

While there are other items on DeCosta's offseason checklist, time is starting to tick on fifth-year option deals. The deadline is May 1.

Ravens, Eric DeCosta face tough choice regarding Zay Flowers’ fifth-year option

Flowers’ option is the same price as the franchise tag for the wide receiver position this offseason. The reason it’s so pricey is due to Flowers making two Pro Bowls through his first three seasons. Due to that performance, he qualifies for the Tier 1 salary for fifth-year options.

It may feel like DeCosta has to lock Flowers down for the 2027 campaign. The 25-year-old has been the only consistently effective piece of quarterback Lamar Jackson’s receiver group over the past three seasons. He has improved every year since his rookie year, and in the past two, he’s totaled at least 1,059 yards in each.

The issue lies in how DeCosta wants to structure his next contract. Based on salary, $28 million would make Flowers the 13th highest-paid receiver. For comparison, that would be $250,000 less than Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and $250,000 more than Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore.

DeCosta may opt to commit to a long-term extension with Flowers instead. He’s a clear part of the future, and a blossoming star within the Ravens’ offense. He needs to remain in Charm City for the foreseeable future.

According to Spotrac, Flowers is expected to net an annual salary of $31 million on his next deal. However, an extension would give the team’s front office more freedom to manage Flowers’ cap hit moving forward. A signing bonus or backloaded contract on a potential extension could give the Ravens more flexibility than a $28 million option for that 2027 season, if the front office deems they need it.

Ultimately, there’s no reason Flowers shouldn’t be under a Raven for at least the next three to four years after his contract is up. DeCosta needs to figure it out soon, though, as the clock is starting to tick.