Lamar Jackson is 29 years old. Honestly, that number feels a little weird when you actually say it out loud. It feels like just yesterday he was this skinny kid from Florida making NFL defenders look like they were wearing cement shoes during his rookie year. But here we are in January 2026, and the "young" dual-threat quarterback is officially pushing toward his 30s.
Born on January 7, 1997, in Pompano Beach, Florida, Lamar Demeatrice Jackson Jr. has lived a lot of life in those 29 years. He's already a two-time NFL MVP. He’s a father. He’s a businessman. He's the guy who basically forced the entire football world to redefine what a "franchise quarterback" actually looks like.
When you look at the landscape of the AFC North right now, Lamar is no longer the new kid on the block. He’s the established vet. While fans are always obsessed with how fast he runs or how far he can flick a football, the real story lately has been his age and what it means for his longevity in Baltimore.
The Heisman Youth and the 2018 Draft
If you want to understand why people still think of him as younger than he is, you’ve gotta go back to his Louisville days. Lamar was a literal prodigy. In 2016, he became the youngest player to ever win the Heisman Trophy. He was 19 years and 337 days old. Think about that for a second. Most 19-year-olds are struggling to figure out how to do their own laundry in a dorm room, and Lamar was on a stage in New York City accepting the most prestigious award in college sports.
By the time the Baltimore Ravens traded back into the first round to snag him at pick 32 in the 2018 NFL Draft, he was still only 21. He didn't even have a traditional agent; he had his mom, Felicia Jones. People mocked that. They said he’d never survive the hits. They said he should switch to wide receiver.
Lamar didn't care. He won the MVP at 22.
He was the second-youngest player to ever win the award, trailing only Jim Brown. That early success created this permanent image of Lamar Jackson as the "young" superstar. But the calendar doesn't stop for anyone. Entering the 2026 offseason, Lamar is now in a different phase of his career. He isn't just "the kid" anymore—he’s the guy the Ravens are desperately trying to build a Super Bowl window around before the physical toll of his playstyle catches up with his birth certificate.
How Old is Lamar Jackson Compared to Other Stars?
Age is relative in the NFL. When you compare Lamar to the guys he came into the league with, he’s actually right in the middle of the pack.
The 2018 QB class was legendary, even if some of the names haven't aged well. Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills' powerhouse, is actually about seven months older than Lamar (born May 1996). Baker Mayfield? He’s nearly two years older. On the flip side, you have guys like Joe Burrow, who is actually only about a month older than Lamar, despite being drafted two years later.
- Lamar Jackson: 29 (Born Jan 1997)
- Patrick Mahomes: 30 (Born Sept 1995)
- Josh Allen: 29 (Born May 1996)
- Joe Burrow: 29 (Born Dec 1996)
- CJ Stroud: 24 (Born Oct 2001)
It's sorta wild to think that Lamar and Mahomes are only separated by about 16 months. Mahomes feels like he’s been the face of the league for an eternity, while Lamar still carries that "breakout" energy. But at 29, the clock is ticking on that elusive Super Bowl ring.
The Physical Toll and the 30-Year-Old Wall
There is a lot of talk about the "running quarterback" shelf life. People love to point at guys like Cam Newton or Robert Griffin III and say that once a dual-threat hits 30, the wheels fall off.
Lamar is currently sitting right on the edge of that narrative.
He’s already dealt with some nagging injuries—hamstring strains and back issues that popped up during the 2025 season. When you’re 22, you bounce back from a hit in three days. At 29? You’re feeling that hit until Wednesday.
The Ravens know this. That’s why his contract situation has been such a massive talking point heading into 2026. His current cap hit is set to explode to $74.5 million this year. That is a massive chunk of change for a guy whose primary weapon—his legs—is historically supposed to decline soon. But Lamar isn't a typical "running" QB. His passing stats in 2024 and 2025 showed a guy who is much more comfortable carving teams up from the pocket. He’s evolving. He has to.
What Lamar Jackson's Age Means for the Ravens in 2026
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta has a bit of a headache right now. Lamar is under contract through 2027, but that $74.5 million cap hit is a total roster-killer. The team wants to extend him again to spread that money out, but you have to wonder how many "prime" years they think he has left.
If they sign him to a four-year extension now, they’re basically betting that 33-year-old Lamar Jackson will still be the same guy who can outrun a defensive back. That’s a risky bet. But honestly, what choice do they have? Lamar is the Baltimore Ravens.
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Why the Next Two Years are Everything
- Contract Leverage: Lamar still self-represents for the most part, and he knows his value. If he plays out 2026 without an extension, he hits the market at 31.
- The Roster Gap: The Ravens' core, including guys like Mark Andrews, is also getting older.
- The Rivalry: With younger QBs like CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson taking over the league, Lamar has to prove he can still dominate the "new" generation.
The narrative that Lamar is just a runner is dead. You don't win two MVPs by just being fast. He’s one of the smartest pre-snap quarterbacks in the league. That's the stuff that doesn't go away when you turn 30. Look at Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady; they played forever because of their brains, not their 40-yard dash times. Lamar might not play until he's 45, but 35? It's definitely on the table if he keeps refining the passing game.
The Legacy of Number 8
Regardless of what happens next, Lamar’s 20s were arguably the most impactful decade for any quarterback since the merger. He broke Michael Vick’s rushing record. He became the first player with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons at QB. He did it all while being one of the most humble, team-first guys in the locker room.
He’s a South Florida kid who stayed true to his roots.
As he enters his 30th year in 2027, the conversation will shift from "How old is Lamar Jackson?" to "How long can he stay at the top?"
For now, he’s 29. He’s healthy. He’s still the most dangerous player on any given Sunday. If you're a Ravens fan, you aren't worried about the birth certificate; you're worried about the offensive line and whether the defense can hold a lead in January.
Next Steps for Following Lamar Jackson’s 2026 Season:
- Monitor the Salary Cap: Keep an eye on the "Post-June 1" designation. If the Ravens don't reach an extension by then, it likely means they are prepared to eat the massive cap hit for the 2026 season and see how his health holds up.
- Track Rushing Attempts: Watch his average carries per game. A drop from 10-12 carries down to 5-7 is a clear sign the coaching staff is trying to preserve his body as he approaches the 30-year-old mark.
- Watch the Free Agency Period: The Ravens need another high-level wide receiver to take the pressure off Lamar. If they don't land a "big-ticket item" because of his contract, it could be a long year for the Baltimore offense.