According to ESPN, quarterback Lamar Jackson defended Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers on the final day of Baltimore’s minicamp, calling him essential to the offense and saying his value is “out of this world.” Jackson also dismissed the debate over whether Flowers is a true No. 1 target, noting that Flowers has been a 1,000-yard receiver in the NFL.
Flowers, who turns 26 in September, led the Ravens’ passing game in 2025 with 1,211 receiving yards, a mark that represented 36.9 percent of Baltimore’s total receiving yards, according to ESPN. That share was the second-highest by any player in the league in 2025, trailing only Jaxon Smith-Njigba, whose share was 44.1 percent. Flowers set career highs last season with 86 catches and 1,211 yards and was selected to the Pro Bowl in both 2024 and 2025.
Contract discussions are underway after the Ravens exercised Flowers’ fifth-year option on April 23, a move that will pay him $27.298 million in 2027, according to ESPN. The decision comes amid an escalating market for wide receivers: Smith-Njigba signed a four-year, $168.8 million deal worth $42.15 million per year on March 23, and Drake London agreed to a four-year, $141.054 million contract averaging $35.26 million annually on June 2.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta called Flowers a leader with a strong work ethic and said the organization would like to secure a long-term deal. Flowers told reporters he wants to remain in Baltimore and would like to finish his career with the team, according to ESPN. The franchise has shown willingness to reward first-round picks who exceed expectations; last year Baltimore made Kyle Hamilton the NFL’s highest-paid safety four months after picking up his fifth-year option.
Over three NFL seasons, Flowers has totaled 3,128 receiving yards, placing him among the top three productive receivers from the 2023 draft class alongside Puka Nacua (4,191 yards) and Smith-Njigba (3,551 yards), per ESPN. Teammates have praised his quickness, route-running and run-after-catch ability, and no other Ravens wide receiver had more than 25 catches or 400 yards in 2025.
