The buzz from free agency is starting to die down, but there is still the potential for a few blockbuster trades. One of the potential players on the trade block is Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Lamar is considered one of the most electrifying players in NFL History because of his ability to shred a defense with his speed. Jackson keeps the defense off-balance with his pinpoint throws, and these attributes propelled him to his MVP award in 2019. Jackson is currently involved in a contract dispute with Baltimore, who recently placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on the quarterback. It means that Lamar can secure the best deal on the market and bring it to the Ravens, who will get the option to match the offer or receive two first-round draft picks in exchange. Interestingly, the market has been slow in teams looking to acquire Jackson because the Falcons, Dolphins, Panthers, Commanders, and Raiders are reportedly not interested in a deal. However, other than the Dolphins from this list, most of those teams are not playoff contenders, so it’s hard to envision Jackson agreeing to a trade in the first place. In the article, we discuss three playoff-contending teams that should be pursuing the Louisville product.
1. San Francisco 49ers-the 49ers look ready to win now, and the quarterback spot looks to be the uncertainty heading into next season. The team made a big investment in 2021 when they moved up the list to draft Trey Lance in the draft. However, there are still questions about whether Lance is the quarterback of the future with inconsistent performances and suffering three injuries in two seasons. Brock Purdy showed potential in propelling the team to a division crown and a run to the NFC Championship Game. However, his status is uncertain for 2023 after undergoing surgery to repair the UCL in his throwing elbow. Therefore, pursuing Jackson could be the answer to a franchise starving for stability at the position. The team had the best defense last season and elite players on offense that will complement Lamar’s dynamic playmaking. If the 49ers pull off the trade, then they are one of the favorites to make it to the Super Bowl.
2. Tennessee Titans-two seasons ago, the Titans were the number one in the conference and appeared to be the favorite to represent the conference. However, the team failed to clear the first hurdle by losing to the Cincinnati Bengals, who went on to feature in Superbowl LVI. Unfortunately, the Titans failed to build on its promising position last season by starting with a 7-3 record and finishing on a 7-game losing streak to end with a 7-10 record. Ouch! Titans fans should be salivating for a legitimate franchise quarterback with Ryan Tannehill’s inconsistent performances. Imagine pairing the most electrifying player in the league and one of the best running backs in the beast known as Derrick Henry. Tennessee also has an aggressive defense that attacks the quarterback in pass rush and would complement the offense. The team would need to add wide receivers, but building around Jackson would likely allow them to wrestle back the division from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
3. New England Patriots-the biggest wild card team to sign Lamar Jackson are the Patriots. Firstly, the Patriots would have to present an incredible offer that the Ravens would not want to match, given the heated rivalry over the years in the conference. Secondly, it goes against Bill Belichick’s usual operation of being conservative in spending, and the offense will be drastically different with Jackson at the helm. However, Lamar Jackson makes the Patriots instant contenders for the Super Bowl. After a stellar rookie season, Mac Jones regressed in his sophomore year, and it remains to be seen whether he will bounce back in 2023. The team has rehired offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and has made additions on offense with the signing of Juju Smith Schuster, Mike Gesicki and is said to be in the market for the number one wide receiver. Bill Belichick has always had a defense ranked in the top 5-10 in the league, and acquiring Jackson could restart the dynasty. The NFL world will be scared about that scenario coming to fruition.