The Lamar Jackson drama took one other flip.
On Monday, the previous NFL MVP introduced on Twitter that he requested a commerce from the Baltimore Ravens on March 2.
“A letter to my Followers,” Jackson wrote. “I wish to first thanks all for all the love and help you persistently present in direction of me. All of you might be superb and I recognize y’all a lot. I would like you all to know to not imagine all the things you examine me.
“Let me personally reply your questions with reference to my future plans. As of March 2nd I requested a commerce from the Ravens group for which the Ravens has not been concerned about assembly my worth, any and everybody that is has met me or been round me know I like the sport of soccer and my dream is to assist a crew win the tremendous bowl. You all are nice however I needed to make a enterprise resolution that was greatest for my household and I. Irrespective of how far I’m going or the place my profession takes me, I am going to proceed to be near my followers of Baltimore Flock nation and your complete State of Maryland. You will See me once more Truzzzzz.”
The Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson on March 7. The tender is value $32.416 million in 2023, and so they’ll have till July 17 to succeed in a multi-year extension.
The non-exclusive nature of the tag permits Jackson, who doesn’t make use of an agent, to barter with different golf equipment. Final Thursday, the NFL despatched a memo to groups warning them they aren’t to barter with a non-NFLPA-certified agent who could also be contacting them on Jackson’s behalf.
The revelation from Jackson has led to questions in regards to the QB for different common managers and coaches attending the NFL’s Annual League Assembly in Phoenix.
Robert Kraft instructed reporters that rapper Meek Mill, who has labored with the Patriots proprietor on varied reform efforts, texted him three to 4 days in the past saying that Jackson desires to be a Patriot. Kraft famous {that a} resolution like that will finally be as much as head coach Invoice Belichick.
Whereas the Patriots have former first-rounder Mac Jones coming off a down season heading into Yr 3, the Colts had been additionally a crew with some buzz given their present void on the place. Indianapolis did just lately signal Gardner Minshew and holds the No. 4 total decide within the upcoming draft, however Jackson represents the most important potential improve as a former MVP.
“Anytime a particular participant is out there — which he’s — you gotta do the work,” Colts common supervisor Chris Ballard stated, per The Athletic’s Zak Keefer. “I am not gonna get into deep discussions on the place it is at, what we’re doing or what we would do, however he is a extremely particular participant. You by no means understand how any of it will work out.”
As Jackson despatched his tweet Monday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was assembly with reporters. The coach did his greatest to downplay the information relating to Jackson’s commerce request.
Harbaugh stated he loves Jackson and is working beneath the idea that he will likely be a Raven in 2023.
“I have never seen the tweet,” Harbaugh stated. “It is an ongoing course of. I am following it very intently, similar to all people else is right here and searching ahead to a decision. I am excited. Fascinated about Lamar on a regular basis. Fascinated about him as our quarterback. We’re constructing our offense round that concept. I am simply trying ahead to getting again to soccer and I am assured that is going to occur.”
Afterward Monday, Harbaugh instructed NFL Community Insider Tom Pelissero that he had but to succeed in out to Jackson following the tweet.
“No, you realize, it isn’t that point proper now,” he stated. “It is sort of contract time. I do not suppose it is sort of a time as a coach I must or he desires me to. I feel he simply desires to concentrate on this a part of it. I’ve left it open. If he wants me, I am right here for him.”
Harbaugh went on to inform Pelissero that he’s optimistic about Jackson and the Baltimore brass concerned within the course of and feels “good about the place it is gonna go.”
“I do know one factor,” he stated. “If he is lining up there within the purple and black, he is gonna be all in. And I am gonna be all in with him. So, let’s simply see what occurs.”
Harbaugh famous to reporters in his earlier portion of media time Monday that whereas issues work themselves out, the membership has made contingency plans.
“You have to plan for all contingencies for certain, however I am fairly fired up about Lamar Jackson. Lamar Jackson is a good participant,” he stated.
The membership positioned a young on backup restricted free agent Tyler Huntley earlier this offseason.
The Ravens and Jackson have tried to work out a long-term extension for 2 years to no avail.
“Lamar is doing a very good job in negotiations,” Harbaugh stated. “So is Eric [DeCosta]. I do know the place we’re at. There is no such thing as a frustration. I really feel OK about this.”
Thus far, we hadn’t heard many concrete information from Jackson’s aspect of the negotiations. Nevertheless, asserting he is requested a commerce makes clear that the QB is prepared to maneuver on from Baltimore. The query is whether or not one other membership could be prepared to fulfill his contract calls for and probably give up two first-round draft picks within the course of.