Lamar Jackson News

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said Monday that he requested a trade from the team on March 2nd, 2023. Jackson has been having an eventful offseason, primarily stemming from a contract dispute between himself and the Ravens; while Jackson has publicly made it known he would like his next contract to be fully guaranteed, the Ravens have held fast in refusing to offer him such a deal. The team shockingly placed the non-exclusive tag on Jackson at the start of free agency, leaving the quarterback free to negotiate with other teams, but Jackson announced on Twitter Monday that he had requested a trade from the team back on March 2nd. It is becoming increasingly unlikely that Jackson plays for the Ravens in 2023, though no suitors have yet publicly entered the picture. Perhaps the most shocking aspect of Jackson's offseason has been the "lack" of interest from other teams in the 26-year-old former MVP. The star quarterback has been the engine of the Ravens' entire offense over the past four seasons, keeping the ball moving despite the injuries that have plagued their skill position players in recent seasons. In a league desperate for even middle-of-the-road quarterback play, teams theoretically should be climbing over each other for the chance to trade for Jackson.

Coach John Harbaugh said "we love [Jackson]" in his press conference Monday, in response to Jackson's trade announcement, but after lengthy contract disputes, the star quarterback has made it known that he prefers to move on from Baltimore. The Ravens placed the $32.4 million non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson earlier this offseason, but the quarterback has yet to sign the tag. Other teams can negotiate a contract with Jackson due to the non-exclusive tag, which Baltimore could match or alternatively gain two first-round draft picks as compensation, but Jackson's announcements could motivate teams around the league to more heavily pursue trade dialogues instead.

The Baltimore Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson on Tuesday. The Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson on Tuesday after failing to come to an agreement on a long-term deal. The tag, which is worth $32.41 million, allows Jackson to negotiate with others team. The Ravens have the right to match any offer Jackson receives or receive two first-round picks if he moves to a new team. Expect more information to become available as the offseason progresses. Jackson started 12 games during the 202-23 season, completing 203 of 326 pass attempts for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions with 764 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns on 112 rushing attempts.

In a statement released by the team, GM Eric DeCosta noted that the Ravens plan to continue to negotiate with Jackson in the hope of reaching a long-term deal with the QB. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Baltimore placed the $32.4 million non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, which means that the signal-caller can negotiate with other teams, with the Ravens retaining the right to match any offer sheet Jackson signs, or alternatively accept two first-round picks.

DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh expressed their support for Jackson in press conferences on Wednesday, and both said the same things back in January after the Ravens were eliminated from the playoffs. "We want to do what's best for the club," DeCosta said at the Combine. "We're trying to do what we can for Lamar. We want to make everybody happy. We want to make the Ravens happy. I want to make owner Steve Bisciotti happy. I want to make Lamar happy. I want to make our fans happy." The two sides seem far apart in contract talks, but the Ravens have made it clear they'll use the franchise tag if it comes to that.

Rumors have been swirling about Jackson's potential departure from Baltimore, with the 26-year-old scheduled for unrestricted free agency this offseason after a PCL sprain kept him out for the final month of the 2022 regular season and a playoff loss in Cincinnati. Harbaugh said he "200 percent" wants Jackson in Baltimore for years to come, while DeCosta was a bit measured bust still said the focus remains on signing Jackson to an extension (rather than trading him). If Jackson does return to Baltimore in 2023, it'll be his first time in an NFL offense that isn't either directed or heavily influenced by Greg Roman, who announced Thursday that he's parting ways with the Ravens after four years as their offensive coordinator. Neither Harbaugh nor DeCosta said anything about a timeline for Jackson's recovery from the knee injury or if surgery might be needed.