Lamar Jackson has been one of the most discussed players in the 2023 NFL off-season.
His year-long contract negotiations with the Baltimore Ravens haven’t been settled, as the team hasn’t committed to a long-term deal with him yet.
The most recent reporting on the situation has dictated that the Ravens will put a non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Update: Several people around the NFL believe that the #Ravens have strongly considered using the non-exclusive tag on QB Lamar Jackson, but @JFowlerESPN
That would allow teams to offer Jackson a contract that Ravens can either match or decline in exchange for two 1st-rounders. pic.twitter.com/bZrduj14xI
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 5, 2023
The non-exclusive tag could prove to be beneficial for Jackson in the long run.
If he is just franchise tagged, he can, essentially, only play for the Ravens in 2023.
However, with this non-exclusive tag, other teams can still send an offer for Jackson, which the Ravens have a chance to match.
Regardless, it doesn’t appear that the Ravens are looking to sign Jackson to a long-term contract extension.
After this news broke, many NFL fans took to Twitter to express their opinions on the issue.
In the eyes of one fan, the Atlanta Falcons would be a great landing spot for Jackson, should they choose to pursue him.
It’s Lamar Jackson or bust for the Falcons.
The cost to move up for a QB is going to cost as much as it would to trade for Lamar – and they’re not going to do that for any of these rookie QB’s.
My guess is they sign Lamar in FA, Baltimore matches.
And they roll with Ridder.
—Mark (@MarkW_E01) March 5, 2023
He’s gonna ruin that franchise lol
— Bengalorian (@thebengalorian) March 5, 2023
Start the firing then because Lamar isn’t worth more than one first rounder. He stays hurt & isn’t guaranteed to play more than 12 weeks. I don’t want a guy who can’t play more than 3/4 of the season. The last few years, he’s gotten hurt. Lamar isn’t worth all that.
—Edward Ford (@EdwardFord_TV) March 5, 2023
EDC should be fired immediately if they do this. Even with the exclusive tag, we can get more than 2 first round picks for Lamar. Would be a disaster.
— ~ (@markfm18) March 5, 2023
Mannn I hope Lamar finds a way out of Bmore, they don’t deserve him
—TheUrbanCEO (@TyronMcDaniel) March 5, 2023
Looks like a trade is coming
— cuban & dominican 🇨🇺 🇩🇴 (@usctrojan43) March 5, 2023
The Falcons have invested early first-round capital on offensive weapons in the last season, drafting both Drake London and Kyle Pitts within the first top-ten picks of their respective drafts.
While the Falcons had a less-than-ideal 2022 season, for a free-agent quarterback, this is an ideal landing spot given their young weapons.
The franchise tag window closes on March seventh.
If the Ravens are going to make a move on Jackson, they have less than two days to make something happen.
NEXT:
Ravens Reporter Gives Latest Update On Lamar Jackson Negotiations