Lamar Jackson has been told to push ahead with a trade away from the Baltimore Ravens despite the acquisition of blockbuster wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr on a one-year deal.
The Ravens’ star quarterback, 26, has been locked in a contract dispute with the NFL franchise and requested a trade at the start of March. A non-exclusive franchise tag was also placed on Jackson, which would allow the one-time MVP to negotiate with another team, but the Ravens would have the opportunity to match it.
Beckham Jr, meanwhile, has been attracting a lot of attention as a free agent, with the 2022 Super Bowl winner plotting an NFL comeback following a long injury layoff. The New York Jets were set to meet with Beckham Jr on Monday, with the franchise keen to combine the wide receiver with the expected arrival, Aaron Rodgers.
However, the Ravens swooped and snapped up Beckham Jr to a one-year deal worth up to $18million (£14.5m). The move could see Beckham Jr link up with pal Jackson, who welcomed the three-time Pro Bowl receiver on FaceTime.
The acquisition of Beckham Jr has many questioning what it means for Jackson: Stay or leave? But if Good Morning Football host Kyle Robert Brandt had Jackson’s ear, he would tell him to still pursue a trade away from the Ravens.
Speaking on GMFB, Brandt said: “I Just don’t see it that way [stay at the Ravens], and I don’t think he should. Lamar, don’t take a dollar less because Odell is on the team, okay? Not a dollar less.”
Brandt continued: “I don’t know what the motivation is here [Beckham Jr joining the Ravens]. I’m hearing he wanted money…Well, which is it? Did you want money? Because then just go, and who cares if Lamar is there?”
Aside from the Jackson saga, the Ravens have enjoyed a fairly quiet offseason, signing wideout Nelson Agholor to a one-year deal worth $3.3m. The franchise only has $6.1m remaining in cap space.
As for the Jets, it’s unclear what their next play will be after missing out on Beckham Jr, with their trade for quarterback Rodgers yet to be finalised.
