NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport believes the “best case” for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens is to have the quarterback return to Baltimore in 2023, the insider said on Monday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show.
The Ravens and Jackson were unable to come to an agreement on a long-term contract extension, forcing the team to apply the non-exclusive franchise tag on the 26-year-old quarterback in March. Jackson has yet to sign the tender, and other teams are allowed to negotiate with him though Baltimore reserves the right to match any offer he receives. The Ravens have indicated a desire to sign Jackson to a long-term contract despite the quarterback requesting a trade back in early March.
In one of the biggest stories of the NFL offseason that has the Ravens and their franchise quarterback seemingly at odds, Rapoport thinks a reconciliation would be the best thing for all parties.
“I know the Ravens had been negotiating with him, and he kinda reiterated his trade request, that is where it stands,” Rapoport said. “I know they want to get a deal done. It does seem like his trade request is more like ‘I’d like to get a deal done with the Ravens for the right amount, and if that doesn’t work, then trade me,’ that’s kind of what it feels like, more than just like ‘I hate all these people, get me out of here, trade me.’”
"I know the Ravens still wanna get a deal done with Lamar Jackson and I think he still ends up back in Baltimore" ~ @RapSheet#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/4Ng8XYfbcl
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 3, 2023
McAfee was surprised to hear this because Jackson’s message to fans on Twitter last week seemed like he was ready to leave Baltimore. However, nothing is certain yet.
“To me, the most likely is he comes back to the Ravens,” Rapoport continued. “His market seems to be the best with the Ravens. Other teams know how good he is, but I do feel like the Ravens, like that’s their guy.”
Jackson being the Ravens’ “guy” is something coach John Harbaugh has reiterated this offseason. However, it doesn’t appear like fans will have an answer about Jackson’s future any time soon.
