Lamar Jackson next team odds: Jets, Falcons, Raiders, Panthers favored to pounce if Ravens move on from Pro Bowl quarterback
Which team will Lamar Jackson be playing for in Week 1 of the 2023 season if not the Ravens?
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The season ended in crushing fashion for the Ravens on Sunday night in Cincinnati. Baltimore had a chance to take a 24-17 lead in the fourth quarter despite playing without injured star quarterback Lamar Jackson again, but backup Tyler Huntley fumbled as he was trying to leap into end zone. The ball was returned 98 yards for a Bengals touchdown, and the 14-point swing all but ended the game. Jackson didn't even travel with the team, which is very unusual and has led to speculation about his potential unhappiness with the franchise. SportsLine offers odds on Jackson's 2023 team if he's not with the Ravens.
Jackson has not played since injuring his knee in Week 13 and has not traveled with the team since being injured, only joining the club on the sidelines during home games. Still, Jackson has been pilloried by most of the media for not being there Sunday to support his teammates. PCL strains like Jackson suffered on Dec. 4 usually take 1-3 weeks of recovery, but every injury is different.
Unless every bridge has been burned, Jackson is more likely than not to be playing for the Ravens next season, even as local Baltimore media declare that it's time for him and the Ravens to "part ways." The QB could make the situation in Baltimore untenable if he wished.
The 2019 NFL MVP and 2016 Heisman winner is a pending free agent, but the team can simply slap the franchise tag on him, which would pay Jackson around $45 million in 2023. Most starting QBs are hit with the exclusive tag. If Jackson were to reject the exclusive tag, he would have to sit out the 2023 season, as Le'Veon Bell did in 2018.
The Ravens could also use the non-exclusive tag on Jackson. That way, another team could offer him a contract, though the Ravens would have the chance to match the offer. Baltimore would receive two first round draft picks as compensation if they allowed Jackson to sign elsewhere on a non-exclusive tag. Two first round picks surely wouldn't be enough for the Ravens after what Houston got for Deshaun Watson this past offseason.
There's little doubt the New York Jets will be active in the QB market. Neither Zach Wilson or Mike White has proven to be the answer at the position. Last week, owner Woody Johnson said he believes his team is only a quarterback away from ending its 12-year playoff drought, and he's willing to spend big money. New York does own all its first round picks (No. 13 overall this year) for the immediate future.
"Our defense was an unbelievable story you saw this year, from last place to close to the top in defense in terms of every measurable," Johnson said. "If you can do the same thing on offense, it looks pretty good, right?"
Atlanta will also likely be chasing a quarterback with Marcus Mariota done with the franchise and third-rounder Desmond Ridder a project at best. The Falcons can start any bidding with the No. 8 overall pick in this year's draft. The Ravens surely would prefer to send Jackson to the NFC if possible.
"My mind immediately goes to Atlanta Falcons," Dan Orlovsky said Monday on ESPN's "Get Up." "If that's gonna be the case and Baltimore's gonna trade Lamar, man, it makes a ton of sense with the way that they are set up with their football team. He would be a perfect fit organizationally."
Could the Ravens and Raiders work out a trade of Jackson for Derek Carr and multiple draft picks from Las Vegas? The Raiders have the No. 7 overall pick this year. The Jets also reportedly are in the Carr market. Carolina (owns No. 9 overall pick) needs a quarterback and a head coach. So does Indianapolis (No. 4 overall pick). Las Vegas might be more interested in simply signing Tom Brady.
Jackson would be an upgrade in Seattle over Geno Smith and Detroit over Jared Goff, but reports are that the Seahawks and Lions are set to keep those two under center next season. The Seahawks own two first round picks this year (5th & 20th) as do the Lions (6th & 18th). The difference is that Smith is a free agent and Goff isn't.
Jackson is from South Florida. If the Dolphins are ready to move on from Tua Tagovailoa because of his concussions, Jackson could be a match.
Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Which team will Lamar Jackson be playing Week 1 in 2023 if not the Ravens?
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