The Baltimore Ravens are reeling following their disappointing, heartbreaking loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night. Unfortunately, that loss came without their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson.
Jackson was forced to sit out for a sixth consecutive game with a knee injury. What was perhaps most shocking was that Jackson didn’t even travel with the Ravens to Cincinnati for the game. That decision will likely be discussed heavily over the coming days.
With Jackson sitting at home, rumors continued to swirl about the former MVP’s future in Baltimore. According to one report on Sunday, Jackson seems more and more likely to be on the move this offseason.
CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported that executives he’s spoken to around the league “strongly expect” Jackson to be tagged and traded in the coming months. La Canfora has been a bit hit or miss on some of these reports, but it’s still worth nothing.
That’s especially true given what’s transpired with the Ravens over the last few weeks. Something’s off in Baltimore, and Jackson’s continued absence hasn’t helped matters.
If I was betting man I'd try to get odds on Lamar Jackson playing in the NFC South next season. Relationship with Ravens in tatters and not with the team as we predicted Fri on @IA1057TheFan Execs around NFL I spoke to strongly expect a tag and trade. Sad but true
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 16, 2023
Would the Ravens actually consider trading Lamar Jackson?
La Canfora insisted that it might be wise to place bets on Jackson playing in the NFC South in 2023. That seems to imply that teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers could be among the top suitors for Jackson if he’s made available.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported this weekend that the Ravens still view Jackson as their long-term franchise quarterback and that they plan to re-engage in extension talks as soon as possible.
With the Ravens’ season now, unfortunately, over, the time is now for Jackson and the team’s front office to sit down and discuss a new contract. The question now becomes if either side is willing to budge.
Jackson is still reportedly seeking a fully guaranteed contract similar in value to the one Deshaun Watson received. The Ravens have seemingly been hesitant to commit to that type of contract.
It seems unlikely that Jackson is willing to alter his demands which means the Ravens would be the ones to fold. If not, Jackson might do everything in his power to force a trade.
The Ravens have control of Jackson by virtue of the franchise tag, but they might not want to force an unhappy quarterback to play football next season. It would probably be in the best interest of everyone involved to part ways if the relationship sours even more than it already has.
The Lamar Jackson situation grows more uncomfortable by the day. Have we seen the last of Jackson in a Ravens jersey? According to at least one NFL insider, it seems likely that we have.