Insider: Ravens believe relationship with Lamar Jackson salvageable
After publicly requesting a trade Monday, former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson apparently still doesn't have a market for his services beyond Baltimore. The Ravens' QB has also expressed displeasure with how the team has handled his contract negotiations.
Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, however, Baltimore believes the relationship is still salvageable. Perhaps no one is more optimistic of his return than Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
"I’m getting ready for Lamar," Harbaugh said, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. "When Lamar gets back on this train, it’s moving full speed."
Fowler also reported that the QB-needy Colts as well as the Patriots aren't interested in acquiring Jackson. No other teams are known to have expressed interest in signing Jackson, who is considered one of the top QBs in the NFL.
Rapoport also reported that the team with the most interest in Jackson is the Ravens.
Per ESPN, Jackson wants a contract extension similar to a five-year, $231 million full guaranteed deal the Browns gave QB Deshaun Watson.
In early March, the Ravens put on Jackson a non-exclusive franchise tag, giving him the ability to negotiate with other teams as well as the Ravens on a contract extension. If he signs with another team and the Ravens do not match the offer, Baltimore would receive two first-round draft picks from the team.
By allowing other teams to negotiate with Jackson, Baltimore essentially put the ball in his court to find a deal that works for him.
Harbaugh clearly believes that the trade request is just part of the business and that the two sides will eventually work out their differences.
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