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Baltimore Ravens put non-exclusive tag on QB Lamar Jackson

By Lou Scataglia

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 04: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on in the first quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 04: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on in the first quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Earlier this year, the Baltimore Ravens put the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson. Other teams can now bid for his services.  This was a significant development in the NFL.  The non-exclusive tag essentially allows Lamar Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, to sign an offer sheet with another team.

Then, the Baltimore Ravens will get a chance to match that sheet.  If they don’t want to match, they other team involved would have to fork over their 2023 and 2024 first round picks in return.  So, the new club would get Lamar Jackson under a long-term deal and they’d only be losing two firsts.

However, this could also be a smart gamble by the Ravens, as if they are able to match a contract, the other team who did offer Jackson the offer sheet essentially did the heavy lifting for the Ravens.

But, if Baltimore doesn’t match, they’ll only be receiving two first rounders back in the deal.

Both deals for Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson netted much more, so this would end disastrously for the Ravens who have played hardball with Jackson this entire time.

Mix this in with the Aaron Rodgers’ situation, and we could be seeing two more historic quarterback moves.

Now, where would the best fit be for Lamar Jackson?

To me, I think the best fit is somewhere in the NFC.  It’s a wide open conference and Jackson would instantly become a top three QB in the conference.

I’m personally eyeing the NFC South with the Carolina Panthers.  To me, they have a stellar coaching staff, strong defense, and an underrated roster overall.

I like their offensive line and they do have a solid stable of playmakers on offense.  I’d love to see Lamar Jackson thrive in Carolina for the next 7-10 years.

Could there be, though, a hidden team trying to nab Jackson?

My thinking is that the New England Patriots could come lurking and could try to upgrade from Mac Jones.  With that defense in place, the Patriots would become one of the top teams in the league again.

The Lamar Jackson saga seems to be only just beginning.

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