Recently, it was reported that quarterback Lamar Jackson was ready to move on from the Baltimore Ravens this offseason. The team placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on him this offseason, meaning he could negotiate a deal with other teams. However, the Ravens would reserve the right to match any offer sheet that he signed. If they opted against matching, Baltimore would receive two first-round picks in exchange.
Today, Lamar Jackson confirmed the rumors that he is seeking to move on. He released an update on his situation on Twitter, revealing that he requested a trade from the Ravens on March 2nd. Part of the reason for the trade is the Ravens not being interested in meeting his value.
This all but ends the relationship between Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, as he has made it clear he would like to play elsewhere starting in 2023. It is hard to blame him for wanting to move on as the team has not committed to him long-term despite him seeing his less accomplished peers agree to massive deals with their respective franchises.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen, Lamar Jackson did turn down an offer from the Ravens last September worth $200 million in total guarantees. That would have put him ahead of Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson, with the only quarterback with more guarantees being Deshaun Watson.
Watson’s contract is as big of a reason as any that Lamar Jackson is failing to secure one for himself. Franchises do not want to commit that kind of guaranteed money to a player, especially one that has ended the last two seasons watching from the sidelines because of injury.
Lamar Jackson is one of the most electrifying players in the NFL and deserves a long-term contract. He already has one MVP award on his resume and is 45-16 as a starter in his career.
A player with that kind of success, at only 26 years old, is one a franchise would normally throw everything at and present with a blank check. For whatever reason, that kind of market has never developed for Lamar Jackson, who remains in limbo.
