In a tweet Monday morning, Ravens star Lamar Jackson demanded a trade, noting Baltimore has “not been interested in meeting my value.”
A trade of Jackson–the 2019 NFL MVP–would drastically change the trajectory of Baltimore’s season in 2023 and beyond. The team has no QB on the roster who could fill in for Jackson if his request for a trade is honored.
In early March, the Ravens put on Jackson a non-exclusive franchise tag, giving him the ability to negotiate with other teams as well as the Ravens on a contract extension.
Per ESPN, Jackson wants a $231 million guaranteed contract similar to the deal Deshaun Watson received from the Browns last year.
Jackson has been at the center of apparently contentious contract negotiations for more than a year.
The trade request comes after a report that Jackson’s business partner Ken Francis was contacting teams on the QB’s behalf. Francis, however, is not certified by the NFL Players Association. It is against NFL rules for him to talk with teams on Jackson’s behalf.
Several QB-needy teams have publicly announced their lack of interest in negotiating with Jackson. The QB not having an agent, combined with his high contract demand, could dissuade teams from trading for him.
Jackson could fetch a large haul on the trade market. Deals for Watson and Russell Wilson involved two or more first-round picks and multiple second-day picks.
With the 2023 NFL Draft (April 27-29) looming, the Ravens must decide soon on the future of Jackson.
Jackson announced his trade request at virtually the same time that Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh took the podium at the annual NFL meeting Monday morning.
Per The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, Harbaugh said that he will not comment on Jackson’s trade request.
The Ravens haven’t said much about Jackson’s contract negotiations. Per Pro Football Focus. Harbaugh, however, remains optimistic that Jackson will be Baltimore’s QB in Week 1.
Jackson’s tweet Monday, though, should concern Ravens management. And so the story of the NFL offseason continues.
