Image via Getty
The relationship between Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens seems like it’s reached its end. The contract saga has lasted two years and has resulted in both sides being unable to come to an agreement. Lamar Jackson, who’s still only 26 years old, has voiced his frustrations on social media and this month it reached its boiling point. Jackson revealed on Twitter today that he requested a trade from the Ravens earlier this month and he penned his goodbye to Ravens fans.
While Jackson still has to find an organization willing to pay his price, there are certainly many teams out there that need help at the quarterback position. As mentioned earlier, Lamar is still a generational talent in his prime and he can flip the landscape of the NFL if he finds the right situation. Several teams reportedly pulled out of the Lamar sweepstakes earlier this month when he was allowed to negotiate with teams after the Ravens put a non-exclusive franchise tag on him.
Teams with high draft picks like the Colts and Texans may not waste their time going after Lamar as they’ll just take a franchise quarterback with their first pick but not every team has that luxury. We listed possible trade destinations for the former MVP.
Miami Dolphins
Whether the Dolphins are willing to pay to play with Lamar Jackson remains to be seen, but the possibility of it can’t be ruled out. For one, Jackson is from Florida, so it would be a homecoming of sorts and an easy sell to the fanbase. Secondly, the future of Tua Tagovailoa remains unknown with the franchise, whether it is due to health issues or the fact that he has not yet been extended beyond his rookie deal. That always leaves the door open for a potential upgrade the position if it arises. But most importantly, imagine how fast an offense of Lamar Jackson, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle would be? That is a nightmare for defenses to gameplan for, featuring the fastest player in the NFL (Hill), one of the fastest wide receivers (Waddle), and the fastest quarterback. This would instantly become the most electrifying offense in the NFL and one of the most anticipated offenses to take the field in recent NFL history.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions were the feel-good story of the 2022 NFL season. Falling just short of reaching the playoffs, the Lions took an incredible step last season, finishing the year with a 9-8 mark. This was a franchise that had a combined 11 wins over the previous three seasons including two years with three wins. Lamar Jackson with a young talented receiving core of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams to go along with D’Andre Swift in the backfield behind a stout offensive line would be a show. The Lions fans deserve to see a team with a flat-out superstar again. That offensive core would quietly emerge as the one of the most entertaining offensives in the league. No disrespect to Jared Goff but if Lamar is available, you have to consider him if you’re in the Detroit Lions front office.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This seems like a no-brainer for the Bucs. Replace the greatest of all time in Tom Brady with another former MVP, who at this stage is a better player than Brady was in his last season. They’re in a desperate spot and with the NFC South being one of the worst divisions in football last year, every team has been hungry to upgrade their QB spot. We’ve already seen the Saints go out and get Derek Carr and while the Falcons reportedly pulled out of the Lamar Jackson race, you know they will not sit around and go into next year without upgrading that position. Tampa Bay signed free agent Baker Mayfield but that doesn’t seem like the best solution to fill the void left by Brady. Lamar is well-capable of filling that void and keeping The Bucs as the favorites for the division. Tampa Bay has to act now and go get Lamar.
Las Vegas Raiders
Even with the departure of Derek Carr and the arrival of Jimmy Garoppolo, the Raiders can still upgrade at the quarterback position. Lamar Jackson has never played with an elite wideout like Davante Adams and it would be first time like Lamar essentially wouldn’t have to do everything offensively for a team to be successful. Jimmy G is a solid quarterback and you can still win with him under center but his talent is a tier or two below Lamar’s level. In the AFC West, average will not get the job done. Not only would Lamar have Adams but he would have an All-Pro running back in Josh Jacobs. Can you imagine a division with Pat Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert? Whew, have fun in the AFC West.
Washington Commanders
While the Commanders were set to roll out Sam Howell as their starting quarterback, that plan should quickly be dissolved with a much better option now available. While Lamar Jackson comes with a hefty price tag, he’s a dynamic player that can help the Commanders ascend from their consistent mediocrity. Washington already has some solid offensive weapons with Brian Robinson Jr. and Terry McLaurin under contract to go along with an elite defensive line featuring Chase Young, Jonathan Allen, and Daron Payne. With Lamar Jackson at the helm of the offense, the Commanders can become a true NFC East threat in what is now the most competitive division in football.
New England Patriots `
It might not sound wild at first, but think about it. Lamar Jackson to the Patriots makes a lot of sense. The Patriots were 8-9 last season after going 10-7 in 2021, which indicates that they aren’t quite elite but also are still relatively competitive. Mac Jones has proven to be steady at quarterback for the Patriots, but they are still in need of the bonafide transcendent talent at the position, which they have lacked since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020. Jackson would give them that, as well as a jolt of excitement that hasn’t been there in New England of late. Bill Belichick would present him with another experienced Hall of Fame head coach, which is what Jackson would be walking away from in Baltimore with Jim Harbaugh, while also playing for a franchise that has proven to be committed to winning at the highest level. The Patriots have been the NFL’s premier franchise since the turn of the millennium, and with the addition of Jackson, they would be set up to contend once again for the foreseeable future if the right pieces are placed around him.