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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens HC John Harbaugh tries to clean up Lamar Jackson's trade request mess

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/27/23

Lamar Jackson evidently requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens on March 2.

On Tuesday morning, just as Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was beginning to meet with a flock of reporters, the former MVP quarterback decided to tweet out his trade request and let the entire world know.

Lamar Jackson’s announcement came at the exact time that Ravens’ coach John Harbaugh was set to speak to reporters at the league’s annual meeting.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 27, 2023

This is bizarre. Here’s the scene at the moment Lamar Jackson tweeted that he has requested a trade as Jim Harbaugh meets with reporters. Harbaugh is seemingly doing his best to manage this situation, essentially bestowing praise on Lamar without getting into any details. pic.twitter.com/U8ShavUx6u
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) March 27, 2023

I’m not saying Lamar did this intentionally. I have no idea, and I’m not entirely sure why he would. But it is nothing if not fascinating that Lamar tweeted a 3-week-old trade request at literally the moment his head coach sat down in front of 28 reporters and several cameras.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) March 27, 2023

The ill-conceived timing put Harbaugh into scrambling mode, just as Jackson frequently has been seen doing on the field over the years.

Harbaugh did his best to dance around the subject, noting that he hadn't seen the post on social media and he has faith that the speedy signal-caller will be under center for Baltimore in Week 1 next season.

Lamar’s stance and the Ravens’ stance at exactly the same time pic.twitter.com/QpheJjDoMo
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 27, 2023

“I’m getting ready for Lamar. … When Lamar gets back on this train, it’s moving full speed.”#Ravens coach John Harbaugh, on his QB requesting a trade.

“We love him.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 27, 2023

Harbaugh on Lamar going public with the trade request and the headlines and stories that will come of it: “That’s part of the fun of sports. I pull up my phone and see what’s going on with you guys. … It just rolls. It’s fluid. It’s going to work out.” pic.twitter.com/H6ksQsiu5S
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 27, 2023

The Ravens placed the nonexclusive franchise tag on Jackson (who represents himself and can sign an offer sheet with another team) earlier this month. If there is no offer sheet, the two-time Pro Bowler would earn $32.4 million in the 2023 season if he plays under the tag.

If the 26-year-old Jackson does sign an offer sheet and Baltimore doesn't match it, the team would receive two first-round picks.

The NFL sent out a memo last week warning teams that they are allowed to negotiate only with the quarterback since he doesn't have an NFLPA-certified agent.

Jackson missed the final four-plus contests of the 2022 regular season and the team's lone playoff game due to a sprained PCL, after it was reported that he'd only miss one-to-three weeks following the Week 13 injury. In his 12 games, Jackson posted his worst numbers since 2018 in a number of categories including completion percentage (62.3%) and passing yards (2,242), while posting a 17 to seven touchdown to interception ratio.

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