As the Baltimore Ravens gear up to play the Atlanta Falcons this weekend, one sports writer has a hot take on quarterback Lamar Jackson switching teams.
Jackson is currently playing out the final year of his rookie contract and has been in contract negotiations with Baltimore this past offseason. Jackson is expected to continue negotiations with the Ravens next year, but if the star quarterback isn’t satisfied with what the franchise is offering him, he could take his services elsewhere.
Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Brener wrote about the possibility of a Lamar Jackson trade to Atlanta:
"While the Ravens have an opportunity to franchise tag Jackson, things could get bleak in Baltimore if that’s the road this goes down…. which opens up the potential for a trade. And that’s where the Atlanta Falcons come in."
In theory, the Falcons have the nuts and bolts of an offense that could sustain Jackson’s running style, and Atlanta also has over $74 million in cap space to bring Jackson on.
It’s a little too early to start speculating on Jackson’s future, but it does provide food for thought.
Here’s what’s trending in Ravens news around the web
Six Ravens players selected as 2023 Pro Bowlers (Kevin Oestreicher, RavensWire)
The NFL Pro Bowl rosters were announced on Wednesday and six Ravens made the AFC list: fullback Patrick Ricard, wide receiver Devin Duvernay, tight end Mark Andrews, linebacker Roquan Smith, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, and kicker Justin Tucker.
Give those Ravens a pat on the back.
Will tight ends break out in the passing game? (Ryan Mink, Ravens.com)
In the wake of Devin Duvernay’s injury, Ryan Mink relayed hope for tight end Mark Andrews to increase his production in the final games of the season.
Andrews hasn’t caught a touchdown pass since Week 6 and has averaged 35 receiving yards per game since then. A meek Ravens’ passing game could be to blame for Andrews’ decline as the star tight end simply isn’t getting enough targets this season.
Opposing defenses are also double-teaming him since he stands out as the team’s top receiving threat.
Andrews has three more regular season games to get more involved in the Ravens’ offense, and getting Lamar Jackson back will be one of the keys to Andrews’ success.