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By Jordan Sigler
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The Baltimore Ravens don't have an easy decision to make soon on wide receiver Zay Flowers.
Flowers, a first-round pick in 2023, is set to play on the final year of his rookie deal this season and is eligible for a contract extension. The Ravens picked up his fifth-year option for 2027 at the tune of $28 million.
Flowers had his best season in 2025, recording 86 receptions for 1,211 yards (nearly 800 more yards than Baltimore's second-leading receiver, Mark Andrews, who earned 422 yards receiving) and five touchdowns. It was the second season in a row Flowers had a 1,000-plus yard receiving year.
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Per Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom, people around the league are concerned with the receivers' touchdown production. While he's racking up receiving yards, he has just 14 touchdowns in his first three seasons in the league, and hasn't been a focal point for quarterback Lamar Jackson near the red zone.
There has been chatter Flowers could receive a contract extension in the ballpark of $35 to $40 million, but that could be a poor bargain for the Ravens given his lack of production in the red zone.
“His lack of size is a big deal," an NFL personnel executive told La Canfora. "It’s a separator… He’s a really good football player, but I couldn’t pay him $30M a year.”
An NFL contract expert told La Canfora that the Ravens picking up the fifth-year option could be a bad deal for the team.
“He’s not a $28M guy, so that’s a bad precedent,” the expert said. “That’s a win for Flowers.”
The problem for the Ravens is that they don't have another option at receiver this season. Rashod Bateman and Devontez Walker scored a total of five combined touchdowns, but totaled fewer than 400 yards. Veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins played for Baltimore last season but is now a free agent.
Paying Flowers $28 million in 2027 might be the best option for the Ravens while they try to find another solution at receiver for the long term. At the same time, they shouldn't rush to extend Flowers' contract.
For more on the Ravens and the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
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