Latest news with #BMoreBaseballPodcast
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
NFL contract updates: Latest news on Micah Parsons, Lamar Jackson, T.J. Watt extensions
NFL teams have doled out hundreds of millions of dollars in free agency during the 2025 offseason, but they may not be done spending yet. Several prominent NFL stars are still negotiating contract extensions. This includes a handful of players who are set to become free agents in 2026, young talents nearing the end of their rookie contracts and MVP-level performers who are being paid at a below-market rate. Not all of these players will ink long-term extensions, and some could eventually be traded if they reach an impasse with their teams. Nonetheless, NFL fans will be closely watching players like Micah Parsons, Lamar Jackson and T.J. Watt as they look to lock in lucrative – and perhaps record-breaking – contracts ahead of the 2025 season. Here's what to know about negotiations between the teams and players seeking extensions. Micah Parsons Parsons reported to Dallas Cowboys minicamp in June despite not having a new contract in place. At the time, he expressed he was "pretty hopeful" the two parties would agree to a contract extension ahead of the 2025 NFL season. "I understand that it's up to [Jerry Jones]," Parsons told reporters in June. "He gives the green light on everything, so hopefully something is done by next month." Despite Parsons' optimism, his representation hadn't yet had any contract extension talks with Jones at the time of his comments, per USA TODAY's Tyler Dragon. Still, neither side was concerned with the pace of negotiations. Parsons even acknowledged he could potentially benefit from waiting until players like T.J. Watt or Trey Hendrickson eventually sign their big-money deals. "It's going to cost them more," Parsons told Clarence Hill of All City DLLS of the Cowboys waiting to sign his extension. COWBOYS NEWS: Dallas cheerleaders are getting a 400% pay raise Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged in a June appearance on the "BMore Baseball Podcast" the team was exploring a contract extension with Jackson. "We've had some conversations before the draft, after the draft, in person last week," DeCosta said. "I think we're in the introductory sort of stage of looking at what an extension might look like." DeCosta cautioned the Ravens had "a lot of business" to conduct with several players at the time of the interview. Jackson is under contract through the 2027 NFL season, so Baltimore has spent the 2025 offseason inking extensions with players under shorter-term contracts, including running back Derrick Henry and receiver Rashod Bateman. Still, the Ravens would likely prefer to extend Jackson before the 2026 NFL offseason, as his cap hit will rise to $74.5 million, per Over the Cap. And the Ravens appear to have every expectation they will eventually sign Jackson to another record-breaking extension. "The value is the top. When Lamar gets paid, he's going to be the highest paid player in football, just like he was last time," John Harbaugh told reporters in May. "I think every contract he signs probably until he decides to hang up his cleats, he's going to be that guy." T.J. Watt Watt did not participate in Steelers minicamp while seeking a new contract. The 30-year-old is currently set to play the 2025 season on the final year of a four-year, $112.01 million contract extension he signed during the 2021 offseason. At the time, Watt's contract made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. Now, he ranks seventh among edge rushers in average annual value (AAV), and well behind Myles Garrett's $40 million AAV price tag. Watt's decision to skip minicamp has prompted trade rumors about the pass rusher. ESPN reported "multiple teams" reached out to the Steelers about the veteran pass rusher after the team traded Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins as part of the Jalen Ramsey trade. However, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Steelers "are adamant they want Watt to finish his career in Pittsburgh," while NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports they "have no interest" in trading the perennial All-Pro. Trey Hendrickson Hendrickson and the Bengals appeared to be heading toward a split earlier in the offseason. The 30-year-old received permission from the Bengals to seek a trade – marking the second consecutive year he had requested a trade away from the team – and criticized the team for consistently failing to communicate with him about a potential contract extension. However, Hendrickson and the Bengals resumed contract talks in mid-June, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The report came just over a month after Hendrickson released a statement saying there had been "no communication" between the two parties following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 26. "The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level," the statement read. "Coaches are aware of these past conversations. Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team, THEY are no longer communicating. I have been eagerly awaiting a resolution of this situation, but that's hard to do when there is no discussion and an evident lack of interest in reaching mutual goals." It's worth noting the Bengals also remain embroiled in a contract dispute with rookie edge rusher Shemar Stewart. It isn't clear whether Cincinnati's inability to reach a deal with its first-round pick has impacted its approach to negotiations with Hendrickson. SHEMAR STEWART: Explaining rookie's contract dispute with Bengals Sauce Gardner The New York Jets had opened contract extension discussions with both Gardner and Garrett Wilson as of June, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. How have those talks gone? Gardner described his dealings with the Jets as "productive" in a July 2 appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show." "We have our goals, in terms of numbers and stuff like that, and the Jets are aware of that," Gardner said. "And I'm aware of the rest of my peers, like [Jaycee Horn], [Derek Stingley Jr.], even [Patrick Surtain II] got paid, obviously before me, but those are all guys that are well-deserving of the money that they got. It's definitely something that my team and the Jets are talking about." Gardner did not provide a timetable for reaching an extension. He is under contract with the Jets through the 2026 NFL season, as New York exercised his $20.2 million fifth-year option in April. Garrett Wilson As mentioned, the Jets didn't just open negotiations with Gardner; they also did with Wilson. He told reporters at OTAs there had been "a few discussions, here and there" about an extension. "I'm hopeful I'm a Jet for life and that we get this thing rolling and that all of our best days are ahead of us," he said at the time. The comments were a departure from his tone at the end of New York's disappointing 2024 season, when he was asked point-blank whether he wanted to stay with the Jets long-term. "I don't know, man," Wilson told reporters in December. "I just do whatever, go about my day, be where my feet at and if they do [offer an extension], that would be a blessing. That would be awesome. I love the Jets. At the end of the day, they were the ones that believed in me. I can't be worrying about all that. Just going to finish these three games the right way." Terry McLaurin McLaurin held out from Washington Commanders minicamp as he seeks a new contract. It stemmed from the receiver being "frustrated with the lack of progress on a long-term deal," per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz. McLaurin, 29, is entering the final season of a three-year, $68.4 million deal in 2025 and is hoping to cash in after posting a fifth-consecutive 1,000-yard season and a career-high 13 touchdowns in his first season working with Jayden Daniels. Will that happen soon? Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer intimated extension talks were "not in a great place" in late June. However, he acknowledged "there's plenty of time to get something done" before the season. TERRY MCLAURIN: Projecting WR's contract as he holds out from Commanders James Cook Cook is hoping to get a new contract with the Buffalo Bills and is reportedly seeking a deal paying him $15 million in AAV. The two sides were far apart in their hopes for his next contract, as Bills general manager Brandon Beane expressed in March, and haven't yet bridged the gap. Despite this, Cook decided to attend Buffalo's mandatory minicamp and participated in all three sessions. "I like my money," Cook said when explaining his decision to participate, per ESPN. Cook expects to be in attendance at training camp as well. The bigger question is whether he will participate fully in workouts or "hold in" to gain leverage in contract negotiations. "I don't know, man," Cook said. "We will see when camp comes."
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ravens Won't Play Games With Potential Lamar Jackson Extension
Ravens Won't Play Games With Potential Lamar Jackson Extension originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Competency is underrated. A handful of teams have franchise quarterbacks. Several teams have playoff-caliber star power. But few teams are capable of recognizing when they have something good and doing everything in their power to hold onto it. Advertisement The Baltimore Ravens already made quarterback Lamar Jackson the highest-paid player in the sport in 2023. Just two years later, he's eligible to be extended again. While it may seem early to ask for another extension, Jackson isn't off base. Since Jackson earned his big payday, nine quarterbacks have signed extensions for more average annual value (Over the Cap). Thus, Baltimore may soon return to the negotiating table. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta recently foreshadowed another Jackson extension coming down the chute. "We've had some conversations before the draft, after the draft, in person last week," DeCosta told Jerry Coleman on the 'BMore Baseball Podcast.' "I think we're in the introductory sort of stage of looking at what an extension might look like." Advertisement The right details may still be in the works, but it should be rather simple. Jackson, soon enough, will be the highest-paid player in the sport once again. He could very well pass the $60 million mark that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott set ahead of the 2024 campaign. His current deal is worth five years and $260 million. The biggest obstacle in inking Jackson long term (again) might be the talent already on the roster. "We've got a lot of business that we're conducting with different players," DeCosta said. "We're in a situation where we're blessed to have most of the team coming back, but as we look out over the next two, three, four, five years, we're trying to keep as many good players as we can. We've got some guys that we feel like have a chance to really be prolific players for us that can be here a long time. We're trying to get as many of those guys signed up as possible. That's a big challenge, and Lamar's certainly a big part of that." A deal isn't imminent, and with multiple years left on his deal, the situation isn't particularly urgent. Jackson may stand to gain from waiting even longer for more stars to get paid. Advertisement In either event, the number on Jackson's next deal isn't something for Ravens fans to be worried about. He's a superstar with no signs of slowing down playing the sport's most important position. Pay him what he wants and try to win a Super Bowl. Related: One Raven Must Be on Team USA in 2028 Related: Lamar Jackson Is Too Good To Lead NFL in Passing This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
05-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Ravens GM confirms team is in 'introductory stage' of contract talks with Lamar Jackson
Ravens GM confirms team is in 'introductory stage' of contract talks with Lamar Jackson During an appearance on the BMore Baseball Podcast, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta confirmed that the team is in the 'introductory stage' of contract talks with Lamar Jackson. Lamar Jackson is a two-time NFL MVP and arguably should have won the award in 2024. Baltimore's 2025 NFL season is quickly approaching, and the Ravens' focus has shifted to reshaping the roster and preparing for a juggernaut of a schedule. The Ravens have made fifth-year option decisions on Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum, while Jackson will have a cap hit of over $70 million for the 2026 season. During March's NFL owners' meetings in Florida, head coach John Harbaugh confirmed that Jackson is due for a new deal that will once again make him the highest-paid player in NFL history. That hasn't happened yet, but DeCosta, during an appearance on the BMore Baseball Podcast, confirmed that those discussions have started. 'We've had some conversations before the draft, after the draft, in person last week,' DeCosta said, via the team's website. 'I think we're in the introductory sort of stage of looking at what an extension might look like.' Last week, former sports agent and CBS Sports lead analyst Joel Corry masterfully broke down the leverage Jackson again holds over the franchise with his 2026 and 2027 cap hits being unworkable for the organization. The Ravens have more urgency for a new deal than Jackson although he has dropped to the NFL's 10th-highest-paid player after Brock Purdy's recent five-year, $265 million contract extension, averaging $53 million per year, with the San Francisco 49ers. Patience can be Jackson's best friend because his salary cap number jumps from $43.5 million in 2025 to an unmanageable $74.5 million in 2026 and also in 2027. The $74.5 million is 2026's third highest cap number. Fortunately for Jackson, Harbaugh conceded at the league meetings that Jackson was going to be put back at the top of the NFL salary hierarchy with his next contract. "The value is the top," Harbaugh said. "When Lamar gets paid, he's going to be the highest-paid player in football, just like he was last time. I think every contract he signs till he decides to hang up his cleats, he's going to be that guy." These dynamics give Jackson, who represents himself and has never had an agent, significant leverage in negotiations. He shouldn't think about twice about using the existing circumstances to his advantage. As Corry pointed out, Jackson just finished the second year of a five-year, $260 million contract signed with the Baltimore Ravens on May 4, 2023. Of this, $185 million is guaranteed, of which $135 million was fully guaranteed at signing. As of this article, Jackson is the 10th highest-paid quarterback in the NFL after Brock Purdy's new contract. Corry highlighted that 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 of the salary cap since he signed in 2023, Jackson could command upwards of $64.5 million per year.
USA Today
05-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Lamar Jackson contract: Ravens, QB in 'introductory stage' of extension talks
Lamar Jackson contract: Ravens, QB in 'introductory stage' of extension talks Show Caption Hide Caption Greg Olsen expresses excitement for upcoming Olympic flag football Former TE Greg Olsen is excited for some NFL players to showcase their skills in the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics and the debut of flag football. Sports Seriously The Baltimore Ravens have already signed two of their key offensive players – running back Derrick Henry and wide receiver Rashod Bateman – to contract extensions during the 2025 NFL offseason. Could quarterback Lamar Jackson be next? Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta detailed in an appearance on the "BMore Baseball Podcast" the team has been discussing a new deal with the two-time MVP. "We've had some conversations before the draft, after the draft, in person last week," DeCosta said. "I think we're in the introductory sort of stage of looking at what an extension might look like." Jackson signed his first lucrative extension with the Ravens during the 2023 NFL offseason. The five-year, $260 million deal concluded a two-year negotiation process that DeCosta described as "arduous at best" and "challenging at times." At the time of Jackson's deal, he was the highest-paid quarterback in terms of average annual value (AAV). In the years since, his AAV has dropped to 10th league-wide, per while his total value ranks seventh overall. RASHOD BATEMAN CONTRACT: Ravens extend WR after career-best season So, while Jackson has three years remaining on his initial extension, he may desire a longer-term raise. Meanwhile, Baltimore may be happy to lock him up longer-term to ensure it can continue to be one of the AFC's top contenders. "We've got a lot of business that we're conducting with different players. We're in a situation where we're blessed to have most of the team coming back," DeCosta said. "But as we look out over the next two, three, four, five years, we're trying to keep as many good players as we can." Jackson would undoubtedly qualify after his stellar 2024 season. The 2024 MVP runner-up completed 66.7% of his passes for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions while adding 915 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
NBC Sports
05-06-2025
- Business
- NBC Sports
Ravens in "introductory stage" of Lamar Jackson extension talks
The Ravens signed running back Derrick Henry to a contract extension earlier this offseason, they announced a new deal with wide receiver Rashod Bateman on Thursday and they may have some more news coming. Head coach John Harbaugh said in March that the team had internal conversations about an extension for quarterback Lamar Jackson and those conversations have now moved outside the building. That was the word from General Manager Eric DeCosta during an appearance on the BMore Baseball Podcast. DeCosta said that they are early in those discussions. 'We've had some conversations before the draft, after the draft, in person last week,' DeCosta said, via the team's website. 'I think we're in the introductory sort of stage of looking at what an extension might look like.' Jackson signed a five-year deal with the team in 2023, but has since fallen to 10th among the league's quarterbacks in average annual salary due to other extensions. His cap number is also set to move over $74 million next season, which gives the Ravens another reason to work out another new deal with the two-time MVP.
