(Audacy Sports/WGR 550) - The Baltimore Ravens have verbally expressed an unwavering desire to keep quarterback Lamar Jackson in the fold.
However, they've yet to back that up by reaching a deal with him on a contract extension. Until they do, all other potential scenarios seem to be on the table.
Despite some attempts to find common ground, the Ravens and Jackson, who is representing himself, have yet to reach the finish line on a new deal. Jackson is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but is likely to be franchise tagged by the Ravens.
Assuming Baltimore goes the franchise tag route, that doesn't necessarily preclude them from moving Jackson.
While appearing on the "Pat McAfee Show," NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport says despite the organization's overtures, he's not convinced a trade is off the table.
"John Harbaugh has come out very hard and said 200% chance Lamar Jackson is their quarterback, and I'm saying I'm not so sure about that," Rapoport said. "I know they're going to tag him, and they can do a non-exclusive tag, which is if someone signs him to an offer sheet, [the Ravens] get two first-round picks.
"They could do an exclusive tag, you end up signing a much more expensive contract, no one can negotiate with him, but you still could trade him. They could sign him, and then you could trade him and work out a new deal. And that would probably get you more than two first-round picks. That would get you more like the Russell Wilson package.
"But there is a possibility that the Ravens could be tempted with a windfall of picks. And Lamar Jackson is awesome, he's the type of talent you wait your whole career for if you're a head coach or a [general manager]. I now think, based on what I'm reporting, that a trade is possible. Expensive, but possible."
When the Denver Broncos traded for Wilson last offseason, they sent the Seattle Seahawks their first- and second-round picks in both 2022 and 2023. They also sent a fifth-round pick to Seattle in 2022 in exchange for a fourth-round pick. The Seahawks also got quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant and defensive end Shelby Harris in the deal.
The Ravens easily could fetch that kind of return for Jackson, if not more. However, as tempting as those picks might be, the fact they could get such a massive return should suggest to Baltimore it would be taking an enormous risk moving Jackson.
It's a real bird in the hand-esque debacle, but the Ravens could upend the quarterback market this offseason if they decided to start taking calls on Jackson.
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