One of the biggest storylines surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars in training camp is whether they'll extend wide receiver Parker Washington before the regular season. A deal could happen at any moment, but the clock is ticking. And in case the Jags needed extra motivation to get it done, Zay Flowers just provided it.
The Baltimore Ravens just gave Flowers a four-year, $140 million deal that includes $108 million guaranteed. That's $35 million per year. Although Washington probably won't get that amount, he should thank his Ravens counterpart for raising the bar at the position.
Zay Flowers could complicate negotiations between the Jaguars and Parker Washington
Back in April, vice president of football operations Tony Boselli made it clear that the Jaguars had engaged in contract talks with Parker Washington and Brenton Strange. They already locked up Strange a while back. This kind of makes you wonder why Jacksonville hasn't been able to reach an agreement with Washington.
Early in 2026, Washington was projected to get a four-year, $64 million contract, but salaries at receiver have since increased substantially following the extensions the Green Bay Packers gave to Jayden Reed and Christian Watson.
It's hard to tell just what kind of compensation Washington is looking for, but he could be looking for $18 million to $20 million per year before Zay Flowers signed his new deal. Nobody would bat an eye if he wants more now.
Sure, Flowers is a Pro Bowl receiver who has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Washington won't get a contract like the one he signed, but Flowers just raised the bar, and nobody should blame Washington for capitalizing on the opportunity to get a better deal if he has the chance.
Why the Jaguars need to hurry up and extend Parker Washington
If the Jaguars want to keep Parker Washington around beyond 2026, they must make an even bigger effort to strike a deal. Head coach Liam Coen heaped praise on him just recently, and Jacksonville wants the former Penn State Nittany Lion to run more vertical routes. Coupled with his role in the return game, he's in a position to maximize his value.
You could argue that Washington should give the Jags a hometown discount to ensure the franchise can keep as many players as possible. But it's not his responsibility to manage the salary cap. Sure, the surroundings, the coaching staff, the city, and his teammates will play a role in whether the fourth-year wideout re-signs, but that doesn't mean he should take any less money to stay in Duval.
Of course, there could be other reasons why Jacksonville hasn't reached an agreement with Washington, but there's a chance they haven't been able to touch base.
Already, Parker Washington proved in 2025 that he deserves to be paid. And in spite of the contract uncertainty, he's been a stud in training camp. It's now up to the Jaguars to fulfill the end of their bargain. Zay Jones just gave them a painful reminder that the more they wait, the more they'll have to pay.
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