Lamar Jackson, the star quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, has publicly announced his request for a trade from the team. Jackson cited the team’s failure to meet his value as the reason for his request.
The Ravens, in response, have put the nonexclusive franchise tag on Jackson, allowing him to negotiate with other teams. The team also remains hopeful that they can still reach a long-term deal with the quarterback.
Trade Request Publicized
Jackson’s trade request came to light when he announced it on Twitter. In a series of tweets, Jackson said he made the request on March 2, and as of yet, the Ravens have not met his value. He went on to say that he loves the game of football and that his dream is to help a team win the Super Bowl.
The nonexclusive franchise tag will allow Jackson to negotiate with other teams, while giving the Ravens a chance to match any agreement he makes. In the event that Jackson strikes a deal with a different team and the Ravens opt not to match it, said team would be required to compensate Baltimore with two first-round draft picks.
Attempt to Deter Ravens
Jackson’s decision to make his trade request public could be an attempt to deter the Ravens from matching another team’s offer. Alternatively, it could be an attempt to generate interest among other teams by declaring that he wants out of Baltimore.
John Harbaugh, the Ravens’ coach, spoke extensively about Jackson on Monday at the league’s owners’ meetings in Phoenix. While he acknowledged the ongoing process, he emphasized that he was excited about the idea of building their offense around Jackson. Harbaugh also said he anticipates Jackson being the team’s quarterback at the start of next season.
Future Uncertainty
If Jackson does return to play this season on Baltimore’s $32.4 million franchise tag, it could potentially be an awkward situation for both him and the team. Harbaugh will have to navigate the situation carefully to soothe any hard feelings.
The Ravens have failed to make it to the AFC championship game with Jackson on account of his injuries towards the end of the last two seasons. If he remains with Baltimore, he will have a new coordinator as the Ravens hired Georgia’s Todd Monken for that position after last season.
No Agent
Jackson’s circumstance is exceptional in that he represents himself without the assistance of an agent. Recently, the NFL management council cautioned teams via a memo obtained by The Associated Press that an individual who is not certified by the NFLPA as an agent may be reaching out to teams to influence them to engage in negotiations with Jackson.
The memo also served as a reminder to teams that, according to the collective bargaining agreement, if a player is representing himself, an offer sheet can only be negotiated with that player. Jackson responded to this matter on Twitter, clarifying that the said individual did not attempt to negotiate on his behalf.
One of the Game’s Biggest Stars
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Jackson’s future with the Ravens, he remains one of the game’s biggest stars. Having accumulated 10,000 yards passing and 4,000 yards rushing, he is one of only six quarterbacks in NFL history to achieve this feat at the age of 25. Additionally, he earned the title of 2019 NFL MVP.
The quarterback’s skill set, which combines both passing and running ability, has made him a dynamic player on the field. If Jackson does end up leaving Baltimore, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to a new team and if his success on the field will continue.
Lamar Jackson’s trade request from the Baltimore Ravens has garnered attention across the NFL. While the Ravens remain hopeful they can reach a long-term deal with the quarterback, Jackson’s public announcement could be an attempt to generate interest from other teams or deter the Ravens from matching another team’s offer.
The nonexclusive franchise tag allows Jackson to negotiate with other teams, but it also gives the Ravens the right to match any agreement he makes. If Jackson reaches a deal with another team and the Ravens do not match it, that team would owe Baltimore two first-round draft picks. With this high price tag, it remains to be seen whether any team will be willing to make a deal for Jackson.
Nevertheless, the prospect of acquiring a young, talented quarterback like Jackson has undoubtedly piqued the interest of several NFL teams.
