Richard Sherman on the Prime Video Thursday Night Football set at SoFi Stadium. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Richard Sherman offers up crazy Lamar Jackson trade proposal

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 1/24/23

Perhaps the biggest question of the 2023 NFL offseason is what will happen with Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens?

On a recent episode of his podcast, “The Richard Sherman Podcast,” former Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman suggested an off-the-wall trade proposal that would not only find a way to get Jackson the big-money contract he’s seeking but also resolve the quarterback issue of two teams.

“What if a crazy scenario happened and the Seattle Seahawks called the Baltimore Ravens and they said, ‘Hey, we wouldn’t pay Geno (Smith) top quarterback money … but we probably would for Lamar,’” Sherman asked. “And (we end up with) Lamar in Seattle and Geno in Baltimore? Hmm. That would be [interesting]. But If I’m Lamar and I’m coming off a knee injury, then I’m rehabbing, I’m taking my time and making sure you can’t trade me.”

To anyone who thinks the Ravens aren’t trading Lamar Jackson because they said they weren’t trading Lamar Jackson… the Seahawks said they weren’t trading Russell Wilson and then traded him like 2 weeks later
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) January 21, 2023

Both Smith and Jackson are free agents once the season ends.

Reports have indicated Smith could be seeking a new contract in the $30 million range. Jackson, of course, wants a contract in the neighborhood of the $230 million fully guaranteed deal the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson earlier this year.

TOP QB money will soon be 55m. @GenoSmith3 getting less that 30m after a probowl year would be a travesty. I see alot about “team friendly” deals and that would make sense if he wasnt a FA. Has to work for both sides and hopefully both are reasonable.
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 20, 2023

It was reported that he recently turned down a contract from Baltimore that would have given him $133 million in guaranteed money. Jackson, who was the youngest player (22) to win an NFL MVP in 2019, has thrown for 12,209 yards, 101 touchdowns and 38 interceptions while rushing for another 4,437 yards and 24 scores in five seasons with the Ravens. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler as well.

Smith underwent a career renaissance in Seattle in 2022, passing for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He led the NFL in completion percentage (69.8) and ranked fourth in touchdowns, fifth in passer rating and eighth in passing yards. Smith led the Seahawks to the playoffs and was named to the Pro Bowl.

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