Lamar Jackson's future with the Ravens was already uncertain after the team slapped him with the non-exclusive franchise tag during the 2023 NFL offseason.
Now, it's worth wondering whether Jackson even has one in Baltimore.
The veteran quarterback took to Twitter on Monday to address his future with the Ravens. He communicated to his fans that he is hoping to leave the organization and officially requested a trade away from the team in early March.
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Why? It's all about what Jackson perceives to be his value, per his Twitter thread.
A letter to my Fans
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 27, 2023
I want to first thank you all for all of the love and support you consistently show towards me. All of you are amazing and I appreciate y’all so much. I want you all to know not to believe everything you read about me. Let me personally answer your questions
in regards to my future plans. As of March 2nd I requested a trade from the Ravens organization for which the Ravens has not been interested in meeting my value, any and everyone that’s has met me or been around me know I love the game of football and my dream is to help a team
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 27, 2023
win the super bowl. You all are great but I had to make a business decision that was best for my family and I. No matter how far I go or where my career takes me, I’ll continue to be close to my fans of Baltimore Flock nation and the entire State of Maryland. You’ll See me again
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 27, 2023
Below is a full transcript of what Jackson wrote:
A letter to my Fans
I want to first thank you all for all of the love and support you consistently show towards me. All of you are amazing and I appreciate y’all so much. I want you all to know not to believe everything you read about me.
Let me personally answer your questions in regards to my future plans. As of March 2nd I requested a trade from the Ravens organization for which the Ravens has not been interested in meeting my value, any and everyone that’s has met me or been around me know I love the game of football and my dream is to help a team win the super bowl.
You all are great but I had to make a business decision that was best for my family and I. No matter how far I go or where my career takes me, I’ll continue to be close to my fans of Baltimore Flock nation and the entire State of Maryland. You’ll See me again. Truzzzzz. Let’s stay connected subscribe to my Fanpage.
It isn't exactly surprising to see that Jackson demanded a trade away from the Ravens. The two parties have been efforting a contract extension for two years, but they haven't been able to agree to terms.
MORE: Lamar Jackson is ready to move on from the Ravens, rep tells teams
The root of the problem: Jackson reportedly is looking for a fully guaranteed contract akin to the one Deshaun Watson signed with the Browns. The Ravens have been willing to give him a lucrative deal, but they haven't come close to guaranteeing his entire salary. Thus, the stand-off.
Even still, the timing of Jackson's revelation is hard to ignore even if it was a predictable one. It occurred at the exact time that John Harbaugh was speaking to reporters at the NFL's owners' meetings in Arizona.
Harbaugh seemed to indicate that he believed that Jackson was going to be the Ravens' quarterback in 2023.
"You gotta plan for all the contingencies for sure, but I'm pretty fired up about Lamar Jackson," he said. "I mean, Lamar Jackson is a great player. Lamar came back in great shape last year. He's fired up to play. That's the Lamar I'm looking forward to seeing. Can't wait to get back on the grass and go to work, and I'm confident that's going to happen."
Coach Harbaugh from owners meetings: pic.twitter.com/TOcrMPZeX3
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 27, 2023
That said, Harbaugh also conceded that it was "an ongoing process" and that he hadn't yet seen Jackson's most recent tweet.
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So, it remains to be seen whether the Ravens can do anything to convince Jackson to stay, or if the team will be willing to move him for the right price.
As it stands, many quarterback vacancies across the NFL have been filled. Still, Jackson has been mentioned in connection with teams like the Colts, Patriots, Vikings, Falcons and even the Jets, so a trade could still be possible.
As such, the Ravens will bear watching in the coming weeks. And if Jackson does get traded, a deal could vastly shake up the power structure within the NFL.
