After benching veteran Matt Ryan late last season following an epic collapse against the Minnesota Vikings, the Indianapolis Colts need a reliable quarterback.
They have the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but there are rumors that they’re interested in trading for Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, who has asked to be dealt.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder says that although the Colts may be interested in acquiring Jackson, they’re not interested in caving into his contract demands.
Regardless of what the Colts or anyone else might love about Lamar Jackson, the very clear stance from people here at the owners meetings I’ve talked to is that whatever contract demands he is currently making are absolutely a non starter.
Do with this info whatever you wish.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 27, 2023
For a number of months, Jackson has been asking for a huge fully-guaranteed contract, and many feel he wants the type of deal Deshaun Watson got from the Cleveland Browns, which is worth $230 million over five years.
The consensus seems to be that such a contract would simply be too outsized for Jackson.
Ever since he won the league MVP award in 2019, his production as a passer has declined, and he has missed five games in each of the past two seasons due to injury.
The Ravens have affixed their non-exclusive franchise tag onto Jackson, which gives him the liberty to negotiate a potential new contract with any team he wants.
If he comes to terms with another team and the Ravens choose not to match that contract, they would receive two first-round draft picks as compensation from that other team.
It makes the price of acquiring Jackson even steeper, and it will also make the task of putting together a great roster around him very difficult.
Perhaps the Colts would be better off using the No. 4 pick in next month’s draft on a QB such as Will Levis or Anthony Richardson.
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