Lamar Jackson Once Requested a Trade, Execs Fear Another Standoff

The Baltimore Ravens made a mistake three years ago that could come back to haunt them once again. The Ravens had put a franchise tag on their biggest star, Lamar Jackson, and he went ahead and publicly requested a trade, citing that the management hasn’t been willing to meet his terms for a long-term extension.

Eventually, Jackson was offered a five-year contract worth $260 million (then a short-lived record) with $185 million guaranteed. Though there are two years left in his contract, the quarterback has gone ahead with another ask from the Ravens management.

It is speculated that as he used the trade scare tactic once, he could do it again. All the signs are pointing towards yet another dramatic back and forth in Maryland.

According to NFL Insider Jason La Canfora of Sports Illustrated, “a trade is absolutely on the table” if both parties aren’t reaching an agreement. Jackson doesn’t have an agent currently, and he’s representing himself. However, an anonymous agent told Canfora that a trade is imminent if he “was advising Lamar“.

The agent added that he’s “not coming in with it, but I’m coming in with a very firm hand, and I’m not putting up with any of their bull (expletive). And if it’s not done before training camp, we’re done talking.” It’s true, Jackson has all the leverage in the palm of his hand; after all, his current deal prevents the management from placing a franchise tag on him.

Canfora noted that the quarterback may be aiming to break current quarterback earning records, pushing for a massive payday exceeding the $60 million the Dallas Cowboys shelled out for Dak Prescott after he signed a four-year, $240 million contract just before the 2024 season. The NFL insider also highlighted that the Ravens have once again fallen behind the ever-soaring quarterback market and failed to take early advantage.

The Baltimore Ravens can’t play hardball with Lamar Jackson

The Baltimore Ravens are in a position where they can’t afford a loss of Lamar Jackson. The Ravens, after failing to qualify for the playoffs last season, removed their long-term head coach, John Harbaugh. They also parted ways with offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who has joined rivals Cleveland Browns as their head coach.

The Ravens installed first-time head coach Jesse Minter as a replacement for Harbaugh. The former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator has very little experience in the league, having served in a key position only for the last two seasons.

Additionally, he has donned the head coach cap only once, replacing Jim Harbaugh at Michigan Wolverines for a single game during his three-game suspension at the start of the 2023 season. In short, he has to prove himself.

Talking about inexperience, the new Ravens offensive coordinator is also relatively new. Declan Doyle left the Chicago Bears after a year with Ben Johnson for Minter and the Ravens. Though Doyle doesn’t carry proven experience, he does have a commendation for being the mastermind of the Bears’ offensive mindset, which recorded seven comeback victories last season. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen how he gels with a defensive core head coach.

The head coach and the offensive coordinator aren’t the only areas where the Ravens have made some changes. Anthony Weaver was brought in as the replacement for Zach Orr as the defensive coordinator. In short, Ravens’ sideline is going to look so much different from before.

The revamped coaching structure woes are augmented by the weakened roster. TE Isaiah Likely and C Tyler Lindbaum joined the New York Giants and the Las Vegas Raiders, respectively. Another Ravens tight end, Charlie Kolar, took up a new contract with the LA Chargers. Though they have brought in some additions and tried to cover up holes with the draft picks, the Ravens aren’t looking as dangerous.

Jackson dropping the team would be the absolute bombshell that finally shatters the team’s aspirations for some seasons, unless Diego Pavia somehow becomes a breakout star or they sink low to draft a new franchise quarterback. The leverage is all in Jackson’s hands, and this has shaped up as the biggest storyline of the offseason.

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