For the first time in a while, after firing John Harbaugh, the Baltimore Ravens do not have a solidified head coach entering the offseason, the last time being in 2008. It is a new era in Baltimore, but at least the Ravens will have their star QB Lamar Jackson…right?
Could the Baltimore Ravens Trade Away Lamar Jackson?
With a head coach still not hired, Jackson is one of, if not the, biggest draw for candidates. They are a top destination on the market due to Jackson and other talent on the roster, but their star QB is no longer there.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, an idea/rumor floating among NFL Executives is that Jackson could end up with the Las Vegas Raiders, and it has been a popular “bold prediction.”
One of Fowler’s sources, who is an NFL personnel evaluator, spoke about the idea: ” ‘It just seems like there’s been some consternation there with Lamar and the Ravens, and this would be the ultimate Mark Davis move,’ an NFL personnel evaluator said. ‘I’m not even convinced everybody with Vegas would be on board with it, but it would instantly solve their quarterback problems.'”
First off, what a shock this move would be to the NFL. The Ravens would not only be trading away Jackson, a star QB. They would be trading away a two-time MVP in his prime, who is one of the most dynamic QBs in NFL history.
This is a rumor and is very unlikely. Fowler also explains how Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti wants to give Jackson a contract extension, “To take Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti at his word is to assume Jackson will remain in Baltimore. Bisciotti was clear he wants a contract extension for Jackson by March.”
Still, why not have fun and think about a future where this gets done? From the Ravens’ perspective, this would be a complete reset. QB and HC would need answers, but there is no doubt that the #1 pick would be on its way to Baltimore. The expectation going into draft season is that Indiana’s National Championship-winning QB Fernando Mendoza will be the top pick. Something drastic would have to happen to change that, and with the Raiders having that pick, Mendoza is bound for Las Vegas, well, unless this insane trade happens.
The Raiders would have to give up more than #1, but that would be the main trade asset from Las Vegas’ side. Instantly, this team would be competing for the playoffs, and Jackson would be the first time the Raiders had consistency at QB since Derek Carr.
Again, this rumor is extremely unlikely, but imagine we get to draft night in April and the Ravens are selecting #1 overall, while Jackson is with NFL Legend Tom Brady in Las Vegas.
