What is the Best Landing Spot For Lamar Jackson?
Lamar Jackson has requested a trade.
On Monday morning, Jackson, a former league MVP, announced on Twitter that he formally requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens on March 2nd. The news comes exactly one month away from the NFL draft, significantly heating up the Jackson rumors and speculation. This comes off multiple years of contract negotiations, which have not led the Ravens or Jackson any closer to a new deal.
Being that Jackson is under control via the non-exclusive tag, there are multiple ways for the Ravens to perform this trade. If an interested team wants to sign Lamar Jackson outright, they are legally allowed to offer Lamar a contract. The Ravens would have five days to match the contract or accept the two first-round compensatory picks the team who signs Jackson would be required to pay.
The other way is a traditional trade, with the only caveat being the Ravens would not be allowed to receive more than two first-round picks, as laid out in the CBA.
Teams have a lot to consider when trading for Jackson, especially how much money they are willing to guarantee, but let’s throw all of that out the window and look at some of the best possible landing spots for Lamar Jackson.
5. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have been the least talked about, most interesting team this offseason. Houston currently controls the 2nd and 12th selections in the 2023 NFL Draft. They can, if they choose to make a run for Lamar, make those selections (let’s say Jalen Carter and Jaxon Smith-Njigba) and then trade for Lamar using their 2024/2025 first-round selections. They would still have a 2024 first-round selection from the Deshaun Watson trade, and they can completely flip the direction of their franchise in just a few short months.
4. Tennessee Titans
This is one that could be a long shot considering the current downfall of the Titans, but this is still a team only 2 seasons removed from being the top seed in the AFC playoffs. Ryan Tannehill did a wonderful job as the Titans quarterback in his time there, but it’s very obvious his time is coming to an end in Tennessee. A trade for Lamar Jackson could jolt the Titans back to a contender for the top seed in the AFC. Stopping a backfield consisting of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry would be a very daunting task for NFL defenses. Now, building a formidable team around them would be another task, but this scenario is absolutely not out of the question.
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have had no clear future quarterback since they parted ways with Matt Ryan. Marcus Mariota wasn’t the answer, and it doesn’t seem like Desmond Ridder is the long-term solution either. Atlanta also finds itself in a wide-open division, with every team having massive question marks, not only at QB but around the entire roster. Inject Lamar Jackson onto the Falcons and they immediately become the favorite to win the division. If the Falcons go for Jackson, they might choose to wait until after the draft so they can get another playmaker. Kyle Pitts is a wonderful tight end, and although he would most likely gel with Jackson, adding a receiver to a less-than-scary receiving core would boost their offense even more.
2. Washington Commanders
This is probably the biggest wild card team in the NFL right now. The sale of the Commanders is imminent, and wouldn’t it be something if Dan Snyder sent Lamar Jackson an offer sheet worth $250 million guaranteed? This is an idea that has been floated, and although there are no hard reports on any negotiations between the Commanders and Jackson, it isn’t a bad fit in reality. The Commanders have been running “quarterback by committee” for what feels like forever. Washington has had a different week-one starter for the past five seasons. Adding Jackson can instantly give you a player who you know will be the number-one quarterback going into the season every year. And with the receivers the Commanders have on their team, it could be one of those matches fans only dream of.
1. Indianapolis Colts
Like the Commanders, the Colts have been in QB limbo. They haven’t had a true number-one quarterback since the days of Andrew Luck, and although we can hope and pray for Luck to one day return, Indianapolis needs to find their true starter. It is very clear and evident that Jim Irsay wants to get his future quarterback this offseason, with rumors of a trade up to third in the draft swirling every day. Although the draft might end up being the way the Colts go for their quarterback, Lamar might fit in Indianapolis more than anywhere else. Remember, the Colts are a team that has been talked about as being “a quarterback away” from being true contenders in the AFC. Their roster is ready to win, so drafting and developing a quarterback might not fall perfectly into their current window. Lamar Jackson, who doesn’t need to waste that time developing, would be inserted into the lineup and immediately begin contributing in massive ways.
