For months, every Baltimore Ravens fan has been waiting with bated breath, hoping the team will end up keeping franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is about to become a free agent.
Reportedly, the Ravens plan to attach their franchise tag onto him in an attempt to keep him for at least one more year, but according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, they may franchise Jackson not to keep him, but to trade him and get some value back for him.
Could the #Ravens trade QB Lamar Jackson? After he receives the franchise tag, a windfall of draft picks could tempt Baltimore to consider a deal.
Story from me, @TomPelissero and @MikeGarafolo: https://t.co/mcI514TN63— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 11, 2023
If Baltimore does decide to take that path with Jackson, the question would be what type of value he would have across the NFL.
The general thinking is that a dual-threat QB, especially one who thinks run-first as Jackson does, cannot lead a team to a Super Bowl championship and is extra injury-prone.
Jackson has dealt with some injuries the past two seasons, as he has appeared in only 12 games both years.
Late this season, he suffered a sprained PCL that kept him out for the final five games of the schedule, and during that time, the Ravens struggled, losing three of those five contests.
Jackson wasn’t able to return for the playoffs, and in the wild-card round, Baltimore got denied by Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals 24-17.
Still, there is no doubting the University of Louisville’s talent.
He ran for 764 yards and three touchdowns this season, and although he isn’t the greatest passer, he managed to put up 2,242 yards and 17 touchdowns in the air.
If the Ravens were to actually trade him, it would likely trigger a long-term rebuilding process for them, one that their fans won’t exactly be happy to see commence.
