Lamar Jackson becomes highest-paid player in NFL history after signing $250 million deal

Lamar Jackson becomes highest-paid player in NFL history after signing $250 million deal

David Ben 21:17 - 28.04.2023

Raven quarterback Lamar Jackson is officially the highest-paid player in the history of the NFL.

Superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson has now become the highest-paid player in the history of the National Football League (NFL).

This comes after Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens agreed to a five-year extension which was made via an official announcement on Thursday, ahead of the NFL Draft.

CBS Sports NFL insider Josina Anderson reports the deal is worth a staggering $260 million, with $185 million of that guaranteed. 

Jackson’s contract averages out to about $52 million per season, making the 26-year-old Florida native the highest-paid player in the NFL by average annual salary.

However, CBS reports that the guaranteed portion of the contract is still under the $230 million Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson received last summer. 

Earlier this month, Super Bowl LVII finalists Philadelphia Eagles reached a five-year, $255 million deal with superstar quarterback Jalen Hurts, which before Jackson's deal, had been the highest by average annual salary in the league. 

That deal had about $180 million guaranteed.

Lamar Jackson becomes highest-paid player in NFL history
Baltimore Ravens superstar Lamar Jackson

Following the announcement of the mega-money extension, Jackson took to social media to express his excitement about his new deal in an official announcement video posted on the Baltimore Ravens’ Twitter account.

"For the last few months, there's been a lot of he said, she said, a lot of nail-biting, a lot of head scratching going on," Jackson said. 

"But for the next five years, it's a lot of flock going on. Let's go, baby. Let's go."

Lamar Jackson is the highest-paid player in NFL history
Lamar Jackson is the highest-paid player in NFL history

The Ravens had put Jackson on a non-exclusive franchise tag, giving him the ability to sign a deal with another team that the Ravens would then have been able to match.

That move sparked reports that the team might be prepared to part ways with their franchise quarterback and the 2019 league MVP. 

Jackson’s extension will now see him remain with the Ravens beyond 2027, ending all speculation about his future.

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