The Baltimore Ravens are expected to place the exclusive franchise tag on former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson to prevent him from hitting free agency.
The exclusive tag means that other teams can’t sign Jackson by yielding two first-round picks to the Ravens in the process. It would also mean a record $45 million cap hit for the 2023 season.
With the former first-round pick and his Ravens reportedly $100 million apart in contract talks, trade conversations are expected leading up to the start of the new league year in March.
It still seems highly unlikely that Jackson will be traded. He’s a franchise quarterback and one of the most-talented players at that position in the game.
With this said, the powers that be in Baltimore could come to the conclusion that Jackson’s asking price in contract talks — said to be near the fully-guaranteed deal Deshaun Watson signed last offseason — could be too much. In turn, the team might decide it’s better to acquire a ton of capital while finding another cheaper option under center.
If Jackson is put on the trade block, there wouldn’t be a limited number of teams interested in his services. However, the asking price would limit said market to teams with actual assets to give up. Below, we look at five ideal Lamar Jackson trade scenarios.
Houston Texans add franchise quarterback
Texans get: Lamar Jackson
Ravens get: Davis Mills, 2nd pick, 12th pick, future 1st-round pick
Houston could start out the DeMeco Ryans era with a bang by pulling off a blockbuster trade for Jackson. In this scenario, general manager Nick Caserio uses both of the Texans’ first-round picks and a future first rounder to find a long-term option at quarterback.
The Texans have pieces in place on offense, including stud young running back Dameon Pierce and one of the best left tackles in the game, Laremy Tunsil. It also boasts $37.12 million in cap room to upgrade the roster. Giving Jackson a record-breaking contract wouldn’t prevent that from happening.
From Baltimore’s perspective, it acquires three valuable first-round selections. The team could very well opt to go with whoever is available at No. 2 between Alabama’s Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud of Ohio State in the 2023 NFL Draft.
With pieces in place to contend, having a quarterback under a rookie quarterback would give the Ravens a competitive advantage. We’re seeing that with the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Burrow right now.
Seattle Seahawks find Russell Wilson replacement
Seahawks get: Lamar Jackson
Ravens get: Tyler Lockett, 5th pick, 20th pick, 2nd-round pick, future 1st-round pick
Geno Smith was brilliant in the first post-Russell Wilson season in Seattle, leading the NFL with a 70% completion mark while tallying 30 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. The question here is whether Smith was a one-year wonder. After all, he was seen as a journeyman leading up to the 2022 season.
- Geno Smith stats (2013-21): 59% completion, 6,917 yards, 34 TD, 37 INT, 75.7 QB rating
Investing well north of $30 million annually on Smith woud be a major gamble for general manager John Schneider and Co. Giving Jackson roughly $15 million more annually wouldn’t be given his track record.
In this scenario, Seattle gives up one of the picks it acquired from the Denver Broncos for Wilson (fifth overall). The team also yields its original first-round selection and two other picks.
Baltimore also receives one of the most-underrated wide receivers in the game in that of Lockett. This position was a major problem for John Harbaugh and Co. last season. As for the quarterback position, making a play for a stopgap option such as Derek Carr or Jimmy Garoppolo would be in the cards.