NFL world reacts to Lamar Jackson's new contract with Ravens: 'Y’all thought he was leaving???'

Dan Treacy

NFL world reacts to Lamar Jackson's new contract with Ravens: 'Y’all thought he was leaving???' image

Ravens fans and players already feel like they won draft day.

Baltimore announced a five-year extension with quarterback Lamar Jackson on Thursday, ending an offseason of rampant trade rumors and cryptic posts from the 2019 NFL MVP. 

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The deal — reportedly for for $260 million with $185 million guaranteed —will make Jackson the league's highest-paid player, taking that title from Jalen Hurts less than two weeks after Hurts inked a massive extension of his own. 

Jackson announced last month that he requested a trade earlier in the offseason, so this moment was never guaranteed. Nevertheless, the Ravens never invested in an alternative at the position beyond Tyler Huntley, and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. signed with Baltimore in hopes of catching passes from Jackson. They've been rewarded for their trust. 

MORE: Full contract details as Ravens, Lamar Jackson end stalemate

It's safe to say Beckham is fired up after the news.

Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey is coming for the haters. 

The breakdown of when and how Jackson receives his guaranteed money will tell the full story, but he's getting some props for landing a $260 million deal without an agent.

Hurts' time as the NFL's highest-paid player only officially lasted a few days, and his agent Nicole Lynn had some fun with it. 

The Ravens might not be done. Yahoo's Charles Robinson reported the deal could give Baltimore an opportunity to make a trade for Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, which would be one of the biggest storylines to watch on draft night. 

If Beckham, Humphrey, and Ravens fans are ready for the season to start right now, a Hopkins trade could make this the most memorable draft weekend in franchise history.

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy Photo

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.