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Colts owner reveals why team hasn't pursued Lamar Jackson

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/28/23

Although Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard hasn’t exactly ruled out trading for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, it appears team owner Jim Irsay may have.

Speaking to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, Irsay admitted that he’s fine with the mega contract Jackson is asking for, but what he’s not OK with is what the Colts would have to give up to bring Jackson to Indy.

"It really has nothing to do with actual dollars," Irsay said. "I mean, paying a contract like that is not a problem. I mean, it's not a problem for me. The issue is what's the right thing to do for the franchise in terms of what helps us win in the long run."

Just wrapped up a late night chat with Colts owner Jim Irsay...

The takeaways:

1) Regarding Lamar Jackson, he was emphatic "the money is not a problem," but instead took issue with the draft capital/compensation (didn't speak to fully gtd deal to be clear)
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 28, 2023

Jackson, a 26-year-old former NFL MVP and First Team All-Pro, is reportedly seeking a contract similar to the $230 million fully guaranteed deal the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson in 2022.

The Ravens put the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, allowing him to negotiate a contract with other teams but giving Baltimore five days to match it or let him go and receive two first-round picks in exchange. While Baltimore would likely match any deal Jackson signs, trading for the former first-round pick would likely cost more than just two first rounders.

Irsay pointed to how the Los Angeles Rams traded multiple high draft picks to acquire proven players in their chase for a Super Bowl title—which they won in 2022—but mortgaged their future to do so as an example of what he doesn’t want to put his fans through. The Rams haven’t had a first-round pick since taking Jared Goff No. 1 overall in 2016 and they don’t pick until 36th overall in this year’s draft.

A more inexpensive avenue for Indianapolis would be to either stay put at No. 4 or trade up to No. 3 in April to draft whoever is left out of C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Will Levis or Anthony Richardson.

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