Ravens hit with $120 million curveball, raising stakes for star defender’s future

The Baltimore Ravens are heading into the most crucial season of the Lamar Jackson era. Their roster is considered the best in the league, but it might be the last season with this core. Sure, most of the superstars will be back for the next few years, but in the next couple of seasons, various All-Pros and Pro Bowlers will need a new contract. 

Two off-seasons from now, in 2027, a cornerstone of the defense, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, is set to become an unrestricted free agent. There is no question he is one of the next men up for an extension. He is coming off an All-Pro campaign, bouncing back well from an injury-riddled 2023. However, the negotiations just got more challenging.

The New York Jets inked their star corner, Sauce Gardner, to a four-year $120.4 million contract at an average salary of $30.1 million per year. This deal is the largest for a cornerback in NFL history. While Humphrey is not expected to match the money Gardner is getting, it certainly raised his price tag.

Baltimore’s future cap situation just got tighter

Humphrey just earned his second-career All-Pro first-team nod. He racked up a career-high in interceptions with six and was a crucial piece to a 2024 Ravens defense that desperately needed the turnovers. Pro Football Focus gave the 29-year-old an 81.0 overall grade, which was eighth best among all qualifying corners and another career-best.

Eric DeCosta and the front office usually find a way to make the money work, but in the next two years, they will have to part ways with some key players. In 2026, Tyler Linderbaum, Travis Jones, Odafe Oweh, and Isaiah Likely are just a few names expected to hit the market. 

In 2027, Kyle Hamilton, Zay Flowers, and Humphrey see their contracts end. DeCosta and company will be working tirelessly to get some of their deals done early, but there is not enough money to go around. The Gardner extension makes locking up the top players all the more difficult.

On his current contract, once Humphrey becomes an unrestricted free agent, he will be in his 10th year in the league at 30 years old. His potential salary should fall short of that of the 24-year-old Gardner. Two seasons from now, though, the cornerback market might drastically increase.

Regardless, Baltimore is focused on 2025. Every player on the roster has their eyes on winning a Super Bowl this year. The pay days will come, but Baltimore will have to play it smart.