Ravens Restructure Lamar Jackson's Contract to Create Cap Space

Move comes after team signs free agent pass rusher Trey Hendrickson

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Baltimore Ravens have restructured the contract of star quarterback Lamar Jackson in order to create significant salary cap space for the offseason. This move comes just hours after the team agreed to a deal with free agent pass rusher Trey Hendrickson and backed out of a trade for Maxx Crosby due to reported medical reasons.

Why it matters

The Ravens were facing a tight salary cap situation and needed to create more flexibility to sign free agents and retain their own players. Restructuring Jackson's contract was a necessary step to free up around $40 million in cap space, though it does increase his cap number for next season.

The details

The Ravens were not able to come to terms on a contract extension with Jackson, but the restructuring was needed in order to drop his over $70 million cap number to something more manageable. Jackson joins other star quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen who have restructured their deals to give their teams more salary cap flexibility.

  • The Ravens restructured Jackson's contract on March 11, 2026.

The players

Lamar Jackson

The star quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.

Trey Hendrickson

A free agent pass rusher who the Ravens signed after restructuring Jackson's contract.

Maxx Crosby

A pass rusher the Ravens were in trade talks for but backed out due to reported medical reasons.

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What’s next

The Ravens are still hoping to get a contract extension signed with Lamar Jackson this offseason, but the restructuring was a necessary move to create salary cap space.

The takeaway

Quarterback contract restructures have become a common tactic for NFL teams looking to create short-term salary cap space, even for their star players. This move by the Ravens highlights the challenges teams face in balancing long-term roster construction with immediate free agency needs.