FEBRUARY 12: In a live discussion of the below report, Rapoport suggests there is a very real possibility that the Ravens deploy the non-exclusive tag and allow another club to do their negotiating for them before ultimately matching an offer sheet (video link). Obviously, such a maneuver would create the risk of another team offering Jackson the fully-guaranteed deal he has been seeking but that Baltimore has been unwilling to authorize.
FEBRURARY 11: Much uncertainty still surrounds Lamar Jackson and the Ravens as the window for using franchise tags approaches. More specifically, the question of whether or not the former MVP remains in Baltimore for 2023 has yet to be answered, and little clarity currently exists. 
In the latest breakdown of the situation, Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network note that a franchise tag is still a certainty in the (likely) absence of a multi-year extension being agreed upon. They add, however, that there still exists a “possibility” that the Ravens end up trading Jackson for what would amount to a “windfall of draft picks.”
Jackson, 26, played out this past season on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. Its $23MM value will be comfortably exceeded regardless of which franchise tag the Ravens choose to use. The non-exclusive one ($32.4MM) would leave Jackson the option of negotiating with another team and signing an offer sheet. In the event Baltimore declined to match it, they would receive two first-round picks as compensation.
On the other hand, the exclusive tag would eliminate the threat of an offer sheet. It would also carry a much larger burden on the Ravens’ books, with a projected value of over $45MM. It was reported recently that Baltimore was leaning towards the exclusive tag; the team must finalize a long-term contract in the very near future for a tag not come into play during the Feb 21-March 7 window.
Jackson’s likeliest location for the 2023 campaign remains Baltimore, even in the absence of a new deal, the NFL Network trio add. Still, the Louisville product would draw plenty of trade (or offer sheet) interest from any number of teams if they felt he would be available. A report from last month indicated just that, though the Ravens have been very public in their support of the former Heisman winner and their intention of retaining him for at least the short-term future.
On another note, the NFLN report adds that Jackson has yet to communicate with any of Baltimore’s offensive coordinator candidates. In the wake of Greg Roman‘s departure, the team indicated Jackson would have a say in the selection process, so that update speaks to how much longer Baltimore’s search could still take until after the Super Bowl. Regardless of the developments on that front, speculation will no doubt continue regarding Jackson’s future.
Jets desperate for star QB. Lamar and starting safety Chuck Clark and 22nd pick for Sauce, G Wilson and two #1 picks plus a 2nd round pick. Who says no?
Baltimore says no.
Right after the Jets hang up.
Agreed. Sauce and Wilson on rookie deals are the reason why the Jets are starting to become a team on the rise. No way they do that deal for Lamar
Uh Sauce maybe. Wilson’s a negative value player though.
He said the other Wilson.
wrong wilson, Garrett Wilson is a stud.
Baltimore probably does it for Sauce straight up dude, who are you kidding?
The Jets say no. Are you kidding?
Joe Douglas builds a time machine to go back in time to tell his past self to never pick up the phone.
Jets absolutely say no. They can trade picks but they’re not trading from their foundational core.
Jets — so desperate for a viable QB — say yes and regret it for years to come as Gardner becomes the heart of the Ravens D.
the jets do lol Lamar isn’t worth that much
Sorry, but this is just dumb to even speculate.
Jackson is what he is bc of the offense BAL runs. They designed it for him.
Other dual threat QBs can fill in for Lamar in BAL. But Lamar really cannot leave and be as dynamic in another team’s offense (except maaaaybe ATL and their ‘similar’ offense).
Lamar would not be bad elsewhere, but he won’t be ‘Lamar’, unless that team is willing to reconfigure their offense… and that doesn’t happen in 1 offseason.
Maybe a team would sign him as a FA to do this.
But I can’t see a team giving up the trade capital BAL would understandably want, with offensive-switch hurdles it would present.
Other than Fields, I don’t think any other QB in the league could do what Jackson’s done there (obviously excluding the ones who are elite like Mahomes and Allen). I think if he’s healthy, Jackson could do a ton of damage in Atlanta’s offense—not that I think it would necessarily be the best move for them to give up what it would take when their roster has so many holes.
No, I’m only saying they could fill-in and do their best Lamar impression.
They wouldn’t replace him.
But my larger point is that in the other direction, Lamar would be a bit of a square peg in a round hole, if he were to take over in other QB needy locations… i.e.- DET, NYJ, TB, HOU, IND, WAS, etc… without the team adding RBs, overhauling it’s playbook, and possibly the type of offensive linemen they employ.
Several of those teams are changing offenses anyway. And again, a team like Atlanta could make sense. They ran an even run heavier scheme than Baltimore last year. But also, he ran a more normal scheme in college. It’s not like he can definitely only do the exact thing we’ve seen him do.
…and my point was a smart team is not going to give up trade or draft capital in order to then have to go through that transition, to get the same results theyve watched BAL get the last several year. Though they might be willing if he were a FA signing and they could draft around him.
Considering trading for him, just to try and convert him to a pocket passer with other FA QBs available, just to have the name “Lamar Jackson” on your roster would be, like I said, dumb speculation.
Baltimore has won an awful lot of games with him. A team like Atlanta might be interested in seeing what he can do with better weapons.
Who exactly are you disagreeing with?
I said ATL might be the rare compatible partner, but would they want to trade their draft away for it?
I was quite clear in the original post. But don’t let me stop you from arguing with everything posted on here. You’ve now bizarrely made 3 arguments now in my post, with 3 things that I never even said.
Its one thing to post an opinion, or to disagree with an opinion.
But you make a habit of arguing with posters about points that NOBODY made.
You can’t open a comment section on ANY story on here without “Oooof” plastered all over arguing …with yourself, apparently.
Nobody is impressed, dude. Take a break.
Ok. Have a good one.
Atlanta has better weapons? They’d basically be starting at the point Baltimore was a few years ago. A really good TE, a promising WR and not much else. Idk how those are better weapons.
Drake London is already better than any receiver Baltimore has had during Jackson’s career, and I’m not worried by Pitts’ sophomore slump.
Pitts sophomore slump doesn’t change that Jackson has had a top 5 TE his entire career and Pitts isn’t that. And I’m sorry but the guy saying London is better than anyone Jackson has ever had is not watching Baltimore. But cool story.
Which Baltimore receiver from the last few years am I missing that’s as good as London?
Jackson is more elite than Allen. Ones a former mvp.
Well, people are worried about Allen because running QBs get hurt.
counter argument. The Jets don’t have an offense so why not install the same one there.
hehe
Maybe
But they’d probably rather just sign him as a FA, than part with trade or draft capital.
Chances of him just leaving in free agency are exactly 0.
The Raiders! Watch out for Vegas. They’d revamp their O for Lamar. And a decision to bring him in made at the ownership and league level not by the wants of the FO or field staff. Huge home attendance disappointment in Vegas. Rest of owners and league headquarters are po’d. Davis on notice. His thinking? Get rid of Carr and hope highwire act Lamar puts fannys in seats.
They’re going to be waiting 2 years for Jackson to enter free agency, if then. Baltimore is not going to let him go without getting something in return
Jackson hasn’t signed with Baltimore because he thinks he’s gonna get a Watson type guaranteed contract. I don’t think there’s an owner out there who would give up substantial draft capital and players in order to have the privilege of overpaying this guy. I just don’t see it.
Jets say no.it would gut them just as they are getting their act together. I like Lamar but would not want to give him 250m guaranteed with his style of play.
Or any player prone to injury which is the misery with QBs that have a run first mentality
Both of his injuries came when he was in the pocket, not on designed runs. Burrow, Jimmy G and Purdy are 3 quarterbacks that had significant injuries that are definitely not run first guys. Injuries happen
What happens if they give the non-exclusive franchise tag and the team that gives the offer sheet gave up their first round pick or their next two first round picks.
Do they get to negotiate compensation or is it just the next two 1sts?
“the Ravens have been very public in their support of the former Heisman winner and their intention of retaining him”
==================
Note to the nimrods that run the Raiders-this is how you treat a QB you are parting ways with. The Ravens act like they have no intention of every trading him, even if they trade him tomorrow.
The Raider FO, OTOH, feel it necessary to announce to the world that they are desperate to get rid of Carr.
Very true. Did anyone even know Hollywood had requested a trade before Baltimore scored a first for him?
I don’t see any reason to offer the exclusive tag. Let another team set the price. If it’s out of the Ravens wheelhouse, match it and work out a trade or let him walk and get the 2 picks. And if it’s reasonable enough, match it.
If they choose to let him go, you could easily go out and sign a guy like Baker Mayfield, Jimmy G, etc. as a stopgap.
So the Ravens should just give up any leverage they have to negotiate a better trade package and just take 2 – 1st round picks? That makes no sense. You put the exclusive tag on him so you can trade where you what for what you want. Lamar isn’t using an agent. He’s going to get worked over badly in this process.
The leverage is matching the offer sheet and then working out a trade, no? If the Ravens love him like they claim, they’d be happy to hold on to him still. Only real “risk” is that they lose the ability to set the contract, which is irrelevant at QB nowadays anyways. The market is ridiculously high.
How much more would they get in a trade than 2 first-round picks? The non-exclusive tag seems like the best way to prove Lamar’s real market value and if that price is too high, strap another team with that cost and move up in the next draft to get a QB with a better arm.
In the windfall of draft picks, will they get a MVP QB, who is probably top 3 to 5 in the NFL? Draft picks are great, but if you lose a great QB in the process, it’s not worth it. The Browns screwed everything up by guaranteeing Watson’s contract. Now, everyone expects it.
I like Jackson but he’s not top 3-5 in the NFL. Closer to 10th
Dak, a 1st and 3rd for Lamar and a second. Let’s do it.
Too lazy to look but the dead cap from trading Dak’s contract surely makes that impossible.
Trade him to the raiders they’re dumb enough to give multiple draft picks and players for a QB that’d ensure basement dwelling
Because Baltimore was basement dwellers with him as quarterback? You really need to check your facts
Ravens rely on 3-4 player and a run game mostly. They play a 1940 style game and rely on defense to be good.
As a guy that watched this game since the 60s I don’t think using your #1 asset as your main attack is good business. Yes it makes things a pinch exciting to see a QB scoot downfield and cinch up yardage but you’re risking his durability.
Look to the ‘dual threats’ before him and how long they endured, start with Mike Vick.
Tua, Fields, Lance, if you don’t value your guy then sure run him till he breaks
Trade trey Lance and some picks
I would love to see him in Miami.
Because he’s so great at running the ball and then you pair that with two of the fastest and skilled WRers in the league.
Dolphins could offer away a promising young QB in Tua. Obviously not even close to Lamar’s level but still a good player none the less. Miami also currently doesn’t have a RB on the team and by investing in Lamar your expecting him to carry a lot of that workload so investing in that area could be filled very cheaply. Although their o line isn’t spectacular it is decent and Lamar could make stuff happen from back there without constantly getting sacked. Only problem is they are a little light on picks after the tampering case.
Why would the Ravens want to exchange a QB with MVP credentials for one who is frequently concussed?
He would do great in Miami but Tua doesn’t have a lot of trade value. I also disagree that Miami doesn’t have a RB. Mostert is extremely underrated. Wilson is a good #2
Both UFA
Elijah Moore, Zach Wilson, Jermaine Johnson, 3 firsts for Lamar
Amazing that Baltimore is even considering over-paying this guy given how he slow-walked his injury recovery.
Baltimore is absolutely right to be weary of giving a long term deal to Lamar. Lamar is only Lamar if he can run. His shelf life might be closer to a running back than a quarterback, think Cam Newton who had a better build to survive the hits, which he didn’t in the end. Todays franchise quarterback is one that CAN run, not HAS to.
Check out his numbers. He only throws 23 times per game in his career. If he threw 35 times like the other quarterbacks, he’d throw for more TD ‘s and yards. They average 25 points a game when he’s the quarterback. That’s the point
I almost believe the Ravens would love another team to offer a contract to the him that they would match. I don’t think the Ravens would let him go.
You only named Vick. Tua is not a running quarterback. Lance played 1 game and Fields hasn’t been hurt. Jackson didn’t get hurt running the football, he was hurt in the pocket