Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton anticipated to turn out to be NFL’s highest-paid protection

As a results of that transfer, Hamilton is at the books via 2026. The possibility yr is valued at $18.6M, however a long-term accord will take a look at in at a far upper fee. Indeed, as ESPN’s Jamison Hensley writes, Hamilton is anticipated to turn out to be the league’s highest-paid protection every time his extension is labored out.

After running on a part-time foundation all through his rookie season, the Notre Dame product took on a beginning position in 2023. Hamilton emerged as a foundational member of Baltimore’s protection that yr, totaling 4 interceptions, 13 cross deflections and 10 tackles for loss. Those figures helped earn him first-team All-Pro acclaim and ended in top expectancies for this previous marketing campaign.

Hamilton continued a statistical regression in some classes in 2024, even if his 107 tackles set a brand new occupation top en path to a 2nd instantly Pro Bowl nod. At the age of 24, he represents a key member of the Ravens’ secondary now but additionally for the foreseeable long run. His 2nd contract will unquestionably replicate that, even if a brand new pact will not be in position through the beginning of the approaching marketing campaign. Baltimore has different extension priorities, together with fellow 2022 first-rounder Tyler Linderbaum.

The Ravens declined their middle’s fifth-year possibility, leaving him on the right track free of charge company subsequent spring as issues stand. Linderbaum — identical to Hamilton — is a sturdy candidate for a brand new deal, however the timing of his is also sped up through the choice choice. In any tournament, Hamilton will likely be joined through first-round rookie Malaki Starks as a security starter whilst ultimate a vital member of Baltimore’s protection in 2025.

When Antoine Winfield Jr. inked his Buccaneers extension ultimate offseason, he become the primary protection to surpass $20M in moderate annual profits. That deal additionally marked the primary time during which a security used to be the league’s best earner among defensive backs. The cornerback marketplace has since surged to $30M consistent with yr, and Winfield has already been surpassed on the best of the pecking order for safeties. Kerby Joseph secured $21.25M on moderate together with his Lions extension ultimate month.

It would come as no wonder if Hamilton have been to surpass that determine every time his subsequent contract takes form. In the intervening time, the Ravens will glance into extensions for Linderbaum and – possibly as early as this offseason – Lamar Jackson. Those offers will be offering extra monetary readability on the place the group stands getting into the 2026 offseason. By the time it ends, Hamilton will most probably account for a large portion of Baltimore’s funds over the process a number of years.