PHOENIX – The next step in the story involving Raven and quarterback Lamar Jackson was taken on Monday, when Jackson revealed he requested the transaction out of Baltimore on March 2.
In a tweet, the former NFL MVP said Raven, who previously booked a non-exclusive franchise tag for Jackson, was “not interested in meeting my values.”
Speaking at the NFL’s annual league meeting in Phoenix on Monday, Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said “I don’t know which way things are going” regarding the negotiations and also spoke about Jackson. : “That’s someone I want to meet. become our midfielder.”
Jackson – who is said to be looking for a long-term contract with a guarantee of nearly $230 million Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson last year — had a non-exclusive franchise card booked for him by Raven on March 7. This card allows Jackson to negotiate with other teams.
If he signs an offer with another team, Baltimore will have five days to match it or receive two first-round picks as compensation. Without an offer sheet, Jackson would have made $32.416 million this season — if he’d played under the cards.
While Monday’s claims are new, the impasse between players and teams in negotiations is not. So what exactly has changed? Consider the most pressing questions.
What kind of leverage does Jackson have to execute trades?
Not much. The Ravens owned Jackson’s rights under the franchise tag and had the upper hand in negotiations until another team showed interest in Jackson. But Jackson might think the perception that Baltimore would be a good fit for any offer discouraged groups from reaching out to him and prevented every market from letting him grow.
Jackson’s tweet – perfectly timed at the start of Harbaugh’s media session at federation meetings – was the first public sign that he wants to leave Baltimore and possibly a message that he doesn’t. wanted Raven to match an offer to keep him. It is noteworthy that since Eric DeCosta took over as general manager of the Ravens, the team has dealt with player requests for trade-ins, including offensive tackles. Orlando Brown Jr.., and wide receiver Marquis “Hollywood” Brown. In the past, DeCosta has said he doesn’t want players who don’t want to be in Baltimore.
What is the current market for the Jackson trade? Which teams might be interested?
It’s been 20 days since Raven put a non-exclusive franchise card on Jackson, and no team has signed him on an offer. Jackson will definitely upgrade the midfield situations for Indianapolis University, Commander Washington And Atlanta Falcon. There has been speculation that the Tennessee Giants or San Francisco 49ers can be obtained in the mix. But there are many factors — the compensation to get Jackson (two picks in the first round), Jackson’s asking price (supposedly a Deshaun Watson-like deal) and the threat of the Red Devils match any offer – it could lead to no team openly pursuing him. Teams have until July 17 to sign Jackson on a multi-year offer.
If Raven can’t deal with Jackson, what are the chances that he will choose not to play under the franchise tag? How much money would he lose in that scenario?
If anyone has learned anything from Jackson’s time with Raven, you should expect the unexpected, whether it’s on the field or the way he’s handled contract negotiations over the past 25 months. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said “I don’t know” when asked if Jackson would play in name. It would be costly for Jackson if he becomes the first player since returning to Le’Veon Bell in 2018 to sit out a full year and not play a card.
Jackson will make more in 2023 according to the tag ($32,416 million) than he made in the first five seasons combined ($27,519 million). He will lose $1.8 million for every week he’s absent from Raven. It’s hard to believe that sitting out will improve the supply of Jackson, who may need a strong season in 2023 to answer questions about his durability after failing to complete two seasons ago because injury.
What does it mean when John Harbaugh said Monday that he expects Jackson to be his Week 1 QB?
A constant in the story of Jackson’s contract is Harbaugh’s optimism. He has repeatedly expressed confidence Jackson will stay with Raven. Harbaugh believes the problem is about the money and not about the group’s relationship with Jackson. “Ultimately, it will work,” Harbaugh said Monday. “There will always be creative ways to find those things.” Currently, Raven has no viable alternatives in midfield. Without Jackson last season, Raven has lost four of its last six and struggled to score with Tyler Huntley And Anthony Brown. However, Harbaugh does not rule out the possibility of adding a veteran midfielder this season.
How could a trade request change Raven’s draft strategy in midfield?
Nothing. Baltimore is not in a position to take the top quarterback with the 22nd overall pick. The Ravens don’t have the draft capital to make the top 10 because they only have five picks in this year’s draft. Baltimore will only become a top-potential midfield player if the team doesn’t match Jackson’s offer and in return receive a high first slot. Alternatively, Raven will likely use wide receivers or full-backs with their top pick.
