Ravens fans may be in for a rude awakening as Baltimore works to extend Zay Flowers

Zay Flowers is undoubtedly the No. 1 receiver for the Baltimore Ravens, and has been since he was drafted by the team in the first round of the 2023 Draft. However, despite his production, fans are a bit split on how they feel about Flowers. Some argue that he has been underwhelming in big situations, and isn’t a true No. 1 wideout. Others argue that Flowers is underappreciated by Ravens fans.

Those conversations have become especially prevalent now that the receiver is eligible for an extension. With Baltimore working to keep Flowers around long term, it became clear on Monday that his inevitable contract will be much bigger than fans expected. That clarity came from the Seattle Seahawks extending Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a four-year deal worth $168.6 million.

While Flowers isn’t the receiver that Smith-Njigba is, the deal that made the Seattle wideout the highest-paid receiver in NFL history moves the top of the market up to $42.15 million a year. Flowers isn’t going to surpass that number, but his asking price to Baltimore could now be in the $35 million a year range.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s extension sheds light on how much Baltimore Ravens may have to pay Zay Flowers

The next receiver most likely to reset the market is Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua. He and Smith-Njigba, this past season, put themselves in conversation for being the best receiver in the league. Flowers isn’t in that discussion, but he has been extremely productive for his team, just like the other two 2023 draftees.

Leading Baltimore in receiving yards all three seasons of his career, Flowers has gone from 858 receiving yards as a rookie to 1,059 in 2024, and 1,211 in 2025. 2026 could be even better under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.

Coming off back-to-back Pro Bowls, the Ravens wideout has established himself as a tier two receiver in the league, and the market for a receiver of that caliber is around $35 million. Baltimore’s fans need to get comfortable with that reality if they want Flowers to stick around.

While the Ravens could get a deal done now, there isn’t necessarily a rush for the franchise. Flowers is entering year four of his rookie contract, and the team is expected to pick up his fifth-year option. With franchise tags also on the table, Baltimore could kick the can down the road a few years on a long-term extension. However, the longer the team waits, the more expensive a deal gets.