Insider shares why teams may not trade for Ravens' Lamar Jackson
ESPN NFL insider Chris Mortensen has shared some interesting information regarding Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Mortensen tweeted on Monday afternoon that "a few teams (owners included) have discussed Jackson's case" and that at least one club is "hesitant" to make a move for the one-time NFL Most Valuable Player due to the number of games he's missed over the past few years.
"Also wonder whether his sleep habits and nutrition contribute to his absences," Mortensen added.
In total, Jackson has been sidelined for 11 games (playoffs included) since Week 1 of the 2021 campaign due to injury setbacks. He hurt his ankle in December 2021 and more recently dealt with a knee issue that some believe he could've played through, especially during Baltimore's playoff loss at the Cincinnati Bengals.
Mortensen offered his update shortly after Jackson took to Twitter to announce he requested a trade from the Ravens on March 2. Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh later told reporters he's still planning to have Jackson as his QB1 for Week 1 this September.
Baltimore used the non-exclusive franchise tag to keep Jackson's rights for 2023 ahead of free agency. He has been negotiating without a representative certified by the NFL Players Association and allegedly wants to land a contract similar to the fully guaranteed five-year, $230M deal Deshaun Watson received from the Cleveland Browns in March 2022.
Jackson is free to speak with other teams about possible deals. Baltimore could then match any offer he accepts or receive two first-round draft picks for his services.
Mortensen mentioned that Jackson likely would be worth more than two first-round choices if he wasn't on any tag.
However, NBC Sports' Peter King wrote in his latest "Football Morning in America" column that "not a soul" within the league "is even whispering about the prospect of Jackson getting an offer sheet, and there’s no sign of talks between the Ravens and Jackson to try to rekindle contract discussions." As Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio alluded to, it's thought Baltimore will match any offer Jackson receives and may even want at least one club to essentially write his contract.
Per PFT's Myles Simmons, Harbaugh admitted on Monday he doesn't know if Jackson would play on the franchise tender worth roughly $32.4M for 2023. Jackson and the Ravens have until July 17 to sign a long-term extension, but it sounds like he isn't close to earning the type of payday he wants from any team in the early days of spring.
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