A lot of questions came as a result of Lamar Jackson’s trade request from the Baltimore Ravens.
The first focuses on the best trade candidates, like a particular team in Indianapolis. The second concerned the New York Jets and their fabled quest for any worthwhile quarterback. Then there’s John Harbaugh and the face-to-face questions he had to answer almost immediately after Jackson shared his bombshell news.
But there might be something we’re overlooking here.
Per Jackson’s “letter” (Twitter thread?), he initially requested a trade on March 2nd. It is now March 27th, roughly a month later, and this is the first we had heard of these demands. The Ravens used a non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson on March 7th.
Usually, when even a moderately big-name player requests a trade, contract extension, or discloses disgruntlement, the information is seemingly out in the open right away. Here, the reveal took us the entire month of March, with Jackson eventually tweeting it himself. Hmm.
That’s a little bizarre, isn’t it?
It’s worth noting that Jackson represents himself in all negotiations. And, theoretically, news we hear over platforms like Twitter is likely players’ agents disclosing their demands to reporters to share. While it’s far from confirmed, Jackson could’ve sat on this news for a while, considering he was holding all the cards, deciding when to reveal it as he pleases.
Judging by how the Ravens (and Harbaugh) reacted to Jackson’s request finally being made public, it seems like they were blindsided by the news, too. Though, it might be more related to Jackson finally letting everyone know more than anything. There’s nothing that says the Ravens couldn’t have been involved, but we don’t know the entire process behind the scenes.
It’s a tricky situation and one we haven’t seen a lot in professional football before. NFL fans were confused about why Jackson’s trade request took a month to be revealed, and some had their own theories.
Lamar requested a trade 25 days ago? https://t.co/f1WabqwAjQ
— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) March 27, 2023
Lamar Jackson requesting a trade 25 days ago and it never getting leaked is incredible.
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) March 27, 2023
Today is proof Lamar Jackson is brilliant and doesn’t need an agent. He waited 25 days after he requested a trade to tell the world, it didn’t leak and he put this out while all the talking heads are on television.
Excellent work.
— Phantom of the Grand Ole Opry (@Driquo) March 27, 2023
In case there was any doubt, things are officially awkward with the Ravens and Lamar Jackson with him tweeting he requested a trade March 2.
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) March 27, 2023
Lamar Jackson says he requested a trade March 2. Incredible timing for him to release this, as 16 AFC coaches begin speaking simultaneously minutes ago in Arizona at owners meetings.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) March 27, 2023
Lamar Jackson could’ve used a leak from an agent, I mean league source to the NFL insiders to get the ball rolling faster with that March 2 trade request…
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) March 27, 2023
So if Lamar Jackson requested a trade on March 2, and it’s just coming out now. You’d have to think Baltimore has at least been inquiring with teams about a deal. No rumors have surfaced, nothing has leaked, does that mean no one is actually interested in paying him??
— Scott Burke (@Scot557) March 27, 2023
Lamar Jackson might not have an agent, but he's got some social media help or amazing instincts. https://t.co/Gctw2ExEdM
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) March 27, 2023
Lamar Jackson is handling this ordeal surprisingly well.
If he had an agent, his trade request would have headlined every major network on March 2nd.
Because he doesn't, he's able to move in silence and control the narrative on his time.
+1 for player empowerment. https://t.co/gn1h1wbWjZ
— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) March 27, 2023
