We’re looking at five teams that could have an interest in Lamar Jackson if the Ravens decide to rebuild and trade the MVP QB out of Baltimore
The Ravens (7-8) are one loss, or a Pittsburgh win away from being eliminated from AFC playoff contention. Star quarterback Lamar Jackson is trending toward missing the Saturday night matchup in Green Bay, and with the team in a free fall, doubts about the relationship between the signal-caller and head coach have started to creep into local media.
In an article by longtime Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston, Jackson’s future with the Ravens is cast into doubt, with head coach John Harbaugh cited as growing tired of the perceived immaturity of his two-time MVP quarterback.
In the eight postseason starts, Jackson has a 3-5 record and performed poorly, which is why there is a “Regular Season Lamar” and “Postseason Lamar.” I’m convinced that Jackson will rebound, but not unless he starts following a strict training regiment complete with weightlifting sessions.
Meanwhile, the Ravens should explore all options. It’s clear that coach John Harbaugh has become tired of Jackson, even though he builds him up after every game. He has to, or Jackson will go into his own self-exile.
Preston was adamant that the Ravens needed to trade Jackson, who’ll count $74.5 million against the cap in 2026 and 2027, making him the league’s highest-paid signal-caller. Back in June, GM Eric DeCosta confirmed that the Ravens and Jackson had started preliminary talks on a new deal.
Jackson is set to complete year three of a five-year, $260 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens, signed on May 4, 2023. $185 million was guaranteed, of which $135 million was fully guaranteed at signing. A guaranteed option was paid out last March 17, worth $22.5 million. Jackson’s 2025 base salary of $20.25 million and a $750,000 roster bonus were guaranteed. Because he was on the roster on the 5th day of the 2025 league year, $29 million of Jackson’s 2026 salary will be fully guaranteed. There are $750,000 roster bonuses due on the 5th day of the 2026 and 2027 league years.
Based on recent trends with Dak Prescott and Josh Allen, Jackson can justify $65.5 million to $67 million per year for a contract extension he signs in the coming months. With inflation and an adjustment for the 24.2% increase in the salary cap since he signed in 2023, Jackson could command upwards of $64.5 million per year, and he could ask for it to be fully guaranteed.
On Wednesday, Harbaugh addressed Preston’s column, calling his relationship with Jackson “A-Plus”.
In the Ravens’ Week 16 loss, Jackson was 7-10 passing for 101 yards and a 102.5 rating before exiting. Jackson has dealt with knee, ankle, and toe injuries this season and hasn’t had a whole week of practice since the bye week.
Overall, Jackson has thrown for 2,311 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions, while rising for just 340 yards with two scores and a 63.7 percent completion percentage.
With Week 17 fast approaching and this question likely to pick up more steam, we’re looking at five teams that could have an interest in Lamar Jackson if the Ravens decide to rebuild and trade the MVP QB out of Baltimore.
Random note
Jackson has a no-trade clause, so any agreement between the Ravens and another team would need to be signed off on by the two-time MVP.
The Dolphins will certainly explore the option of parting with Tua Tagovailoa.
Everything begins with his contract, which includes $54 million in guaranteed money in 2026. He gets an additional $3 million in 2027 guarantees if he’s on the roster on the third day of the new league year. Either way, Miami will have to figure out that $54 million before it can even consider bringing Jackson back to Florida.
“Cutting him doesn’t help them financially,” an NFC executive said. “I would think that they try to trade him first, but he very well could be on the roster next year.”
If the Dolphins cut Tua and absorb the dead cap hit, Jackson could be the darling of their eyes.
New York Jets
Jackson is one of the biggest stars in the NFL, and could be a dream acquisition for the Jets, who have five first-round picks over the next two years after trades that saw Sauce Gardner head to the Colts and Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys. The Jets have Garrett Wilson at wide receiver and Mason Taylor at the tight end spot.
Las Vegas Raiders
Jackson has a massive fan in Tom Brady, who happens to be the minority owner and a big fish in Las Vegas. Geno Smith could move on in the off-season, and if the Raiders overhaul the system, Jackson could do wonders with RB Ashton Jeanty and TE Brock Bowers.
The Cardinals are moving on from their quarterback, and similarly to the Dolphins, Jackson could be a viable option. Arizona has a solid defense and offensive pieces to build around in Marvin Harrison Jr. and TE Trey McBride.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts rebuilt Daniels Jones, but an Achilles tear could cost him the bulk of 2026. Indianapolis is lacking first-round picks after the Sauce Gardner trade, but adding Jackson to an already explosive offense could prove fruitful.
WildCard Team–Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota is reportedly planning to add a veteran quarterback next offseason to challenge McCarthy for the starting job, according to NFL.com. The move appears to be driven by McCarthy’s struggles and mounting concerns about his lackluster 2025 performances. With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and others on an explosive offense, could Jackson get this team over the hump, with McCarthy heading to Baltimore as an asset or compensation?
