Insider links Jets with Ravens' Lamar Jackson amid Aaron Rodgers rumors

The New York Jets could go from one alleged disgruntled quarterback to another as they look to replace Zach Wilson atop their depth chart this offseason. 

As shared by Chris Rosvoglou of The Spun, NBC Sports' Peter King appeared on "The Rich Eisen Show" on Wednesday and linked the Jets with Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson, assuming Gang Green doesn't land Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. 

"...if they don't get (Rodgers), I think they will at least put their sniffers out and seriously consider Lamar Jackson," King said about the Jets during the segment. 

This past Saturday, Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported that "there is a possibility other teams could tempt Baltimore to trade" Jackson "for a windfall of draft picks" after the club uses the franchise tag to retain the signal-caller's rights for 2023. On Tuesday, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post noted that the Ravens likely will "control the process through the exclusive tag to maximize their potential return for a generational player." 

Some coaches — and also New York Giants legend Tiki Barber — have suggested ahead of Rodgers' upcoming four-day "darkness retreat" that the Jets should think twice before trading for the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player for a variety of reasons. Jackson is only 26 and earned MVP honors for the 2019 season, but he also has some baggage hovering over his status this winter. 

Jackson ended his last two seasons sidelined by injuries, and some openly questioned his dedication to the cause when he didn't play through a reported Grade 2 PCL strain during last month's postseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals that Baltimore lost. It's widely believed he's requesting a massive amount of fully guaranteed money similar to what the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson ($230 million over five years) last year.

The Packers may want at least two first-round draft picks and another asset for Rodgers. Baltimore's asking price presumably would be much higher for Jackson considering his age and what he could offer a quarterback-desperate franchise such as the Jets throughout his next contract.