One of the hot topics of the offseason has been QB Lamar Jackson‘s future in Baltimore. And although the Ravens have remained confident the two sides will reach an agreement, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has his doubts.
“They have said there’s a 200 percent chance Lamar Jackson is their quarterback, but I’m saying I’m not so sure about that,” Rapoport said on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “There is a possibility that the Ravens could be tempted with a windfall of picks.”
There are a number of different ways it could play out. However, Baltimore will surely set itself up to get the compensation they deserve if they were to lose the 2019 NFL MVP.
Rapoport added, “I know they’re going to tag him.” But the team has two options; the non-exclusive tag and the exclusive tag.
The non-exclusive tag allows teams to sign Jackson to an offer and the Ravens could either match the offer or get two first-round picks. The exclusive tag is a much more expensive contract but Baltimore would have full control and could likely trade him for a package more like the Russel Wilson trade.
Seattle received two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick and three players in exchange for Wilson and a fourth-rounder last offseason.
“Lamar Jackson is awesome. He is the kind of talent you wait your whole career for if you’re a head coach or GM,” Rapoport finished. “I now think, based on my reporting, a trade is possible.”
