Lamar Jackson’s ongoing standoff with the Baltimore Ravens regarding his new contract has led to a lot of trade rumors.
At this point Jackson has been linked to everyone starting with the New York Jets and ending with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Through it all, though – the 26-year-old hasn’t really tipped his hand regarding what precisely he wants for his future.
That changed a bit this past week.
According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo, Jackson has one clear preference as far team he wants to end up with.
“He wants to get a deal done and that’s the most important part,” Garafolo recalled Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell telling him.
“Sometimes guys who are part of a team and don’t want to be there anymore, use (free agency) as an opportunity to go elsewhere. But he wants to be (with the Ravens).”
Jackson reportedly wants a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million-ish deal from Baltimore akin to what Deshaun Watson got from the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens, meanwhile, appear reluctant to make that sort of commitment to their oft-injured quarterback.
Hence the standoff.
At the moment, all signs point to Jackson getting franchise tagged. Whether it will be the exclusive or non-exclusive tag remains unclear.
Jackson’s list of three teams he would be willing to leave the Ravens for has always been a matter of public record. But it really does seem like he wants to stay in Baltimore – pending all sides coming to terms on a deal they are happy with.
A few weeks ago images emerged online suggesting that a Jackson trade was imminent.
Brittany isn’t letting family drama slow down her partying. https://t.co/J9GPdxw4fz
— Game 7 (@game7__) March 5, 2023
That no longer appears to be the case.
All signs point to Jackson returning to the Ravens in some capacity come 2023.
Whether that is due to a franchise tag or new long-term deal remains to be seen.
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A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
