The Baltimore Ravens have signed star wide receiver Zay Flowers to a four-year, $140 million contract extension, the team announced on Tuesday. Here are the instant reactions from Baltimore Beatdown’s staff:
I had long been projecting a $35MM per-year extension for Zay Flowers, and the Ravens came in right on the dot. Fans will debate if Flowers should be the fourth-highest-paid receiver in the league, but really, this is a no-brainer. Baltimore has struggled to truly hit on their drafted receivers,
and Flowers is arguably the most successful one in team history. His ‘can’t touch him in a phone booth’ agility is a 1-of-1 skillset in the NFL, and his chemistry with Lamar Jackson is undeniable. He also checks the personality and work ethic boxes the Ravens prize in their franchise cornerstones. Plus, this gives Jackson all the more reason to sign his next contract extension. – Nikhil Mehta
This felt more like a matter of when, not if. The Rumorville™ has been buzzing about a Zay Flowers extension for months and for good reason. Anytime Eric DeCosta has spoken about Flowers, DeCosta been nothing but profusive in his praise about Flowers. In Flowers three seasons as a Raven, he’s been a Pro Bowl player twice and had multiple 1,000 yard seasons. He a clear favorite target of Lamar Jackson, and, in my opinion, a definite top 15 wide receiver in the NFL, probably top 10. Keep Zay Flowers is a no brainer. And it makes me feel good about a Lamar Jackson extension coming down the pipeline. Don’t think Flowers would sign if he wasn’t confident Jackson was staying long term. – Zach Canter
This was expected to get done before the start of the season, but it’s still nice to see the ink officially on the paper for Baltimore’s Pro Bowl receiver. The Ravens have famously struggled at drafting wide receivers over their existence, but Zay Flowers has been a knockout hit after consecutive 1,000 yard Pro Bowl seasons. While Zay is not the prototypical “number one” receiver you envision, he has been one of the more dangerous players at his position since entering the NFL. His shiftiness and ability to change direction on a dime are unmatched and his rapport with Lamar Jackson has led to many big plays down the field after the play initially breaks down. This is a deal that will look even better if Zay has the type of season many of us are imagining in Declan Doyle’s offense this year. – Dustin Cox
Keeping Zay Flowers in Baltimore for the long term was an obvious and justified priority for the Ravens. Flowers has ascended in every season since being drafted in 2023. At just 25 years old, presumably his best football is still ahead of him too, especially in a new-look offense this upcoming season. Flowers is not without his flaws (ball security and lack of touchdowns), but his productivity and playmaking ability overall puts him in the top half of the league’s wide receivers. This contract may be a bit of an overpay on the surface, but the wideout market will likely be reset in the coming months and Flowers’ annual salary will drop out of the Top 5. As Lamar Jackson’s go-to target and the center of the team’s passing attack, Flowers’ value to the Ravens is quite significant — they certainly could not afford to eventually lose him. It’s also worth celebrating that the Ravens finally have drafted, developed and paid a worthy homegrown talent at the position. – Frank Platko
This contract signals the end of the narrative that the Ravens cannot draft and develop talent at the WR position. Zay Flowers quickly captured the hearts of all Ravens fans and has earned every cent of this contract. I am ecstatic about the future of this offense with Zay as the focal point of the passing game. This contract also should serve as a strong anchor for Lamar Jackson in future contract negotiations. A great move for all parties involved. – Mark Myers
