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The quarterback market has reached $52 million per year and continues to rise. A new class of young quarterbacks will become extension-eligible after this season, and each new deal will push the numbers higher.
One franchise quarterback already earns that figure, has two seasons remaining on his contract, and carries a provision that limits what his team can do when those seasons end.
No-Tag Clause Gives Lamar Jackson More Leverage
Lamar Jackson is starting his ninth season with the Baltimore Ravens under a five-year contract worth $260 million, which lasts until 2027. NFL insider Tom Pelissero pointed out this week that a no-tag clause in the contract gives Jackson more power. This means it is crucial for the Ravens to secure an extension before he might become a free agent and hit the open market.
“He also has a no-tag clause, which means if he plays out 2026 and 2027, the Ravens cannot restrict his movement,” Pelissero said. “He has the potential to become an unrestricted free agent in 2028.”
That no-tag provision means the Ravens face a firm deadline of March 2028. If no extension is reached by then, Jackson hits the open market at 31, with no mechanism for the team to retain him.
Pelissero noted that the rising quarterback market only adds to the cost of waiting, with the 2024 draft class expected to push average quarterback pay from $60 million toward $70 million per year.
Ryan Clark Defends Lamar Jackson Against Outraged Critics
ESPN analyst Ryan Clark caused a stir online when he defended Lamar Jackson after a low ranking in the Top 100. Clark said Jackson is the second-best quarterback after Patrick Mahomes, but many critics disagreed.
“Outside of Patrick Mahomes, there is no more accomplished quarterback in the entire NFL individually,” Clark said during his appearance on ESPN’s First Take. “There’s no quarterback who carries more than Lamar Jackson. There’s no quarterback who’s asked to do more than Lamar Jackson. There’s no quarterback who you have to have a game plan for in the run game.”
“It’s not just disrespectful, it’s almost stupid that he is ranked so low and I don’t know if he cares about it at all, but this says a lot about this league and how quickly we forget what Lamar Jackson has accomplished.”
Fans slammed the take for ignoring Aaron Rodgers and creating unfair comparisons against Bengals passer Joe Burrow. Clark argued Burrow receives passes for injuries while Jackson constantly faces shifting narratives.
The argument shows how Jackson stands out among the top NFL quarterbacks. This debate continues to spark strong and divided reactions online.
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