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It’s bizarre that the contract extension talks between Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens have gone nowhere. He should have been eligible for an extension after the 2020 season, a year after he became the second-youngest Most Valuable Player in NFL history. The former Louisville standout was the second unanimous MVP after finishing with 3,127 passing yards, 1,206 rushing yards, and 43 total touchdowns. He is also the only quarterback with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
However, that’s not the case. After playing out his fifth NFL season for $23 million (team option), he still has no long-term deal. Both parties have until July 17 to finalize a contract. Otherwise, Jackson may play under the $32.4 million franchise tag the Ravens offered. But that option is non-exclusive, meaning other teams can negotiate a deal with him, which the Ravens can match. If they don’t, that new team will give Baltimore two first-round picks.
If Jackson leaves the Ravens, the team that took him 32nd overall in 2018, here are the teams that offer him the best-case scenario.
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Tennessee Titans
The Titans reportedly explored the possibility of trading Derrick Henry, signaling a shift in their offensive approach. But aside from their ace running back, Ryan Tannehill will be a free agent in 2024, and Malik Willis has yet to prove he is worthy of being the full-time starter. Jackson’s versatility will be a tremendous boost for a team playing in a division where its winner finished at 9-8. Likewise, the Titans have the cap space to make this happen, making Nashville a viable destination for Jackson.
Houston Texans
After losing Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns, they have a shot at getting another franchise quarterback in Jackson. He will have talented players to work with, like Brandin Cooks and Dameon Pierce. His arrival will also help a running game that ranked 31st last season, averaging 86.8 yards per game. But Jackson to Houston is unlikely because they will use the second overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft for a quarterback. But why gamble on a prospect when you have a proven commodity available?
New York Jets
The tea leaves are brewing toward the potential arrival of Aaron Rodgers in The Big Apple. Aside from wide receiver Allen Lazard and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett already there, the four-time NFL MVP publicly declared his intention to play for the Jets. However, it would still take a trade between the Jets and the Green Bay Packers to happen. If the cards don’t fall that way, putting Jackson with Lazard, Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore, and Corey Davis is a scary image for other teams.
Washington Commanders
Signing Jacoby Brissett to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million might have taken Washington out of the conversation. But stranger things have happened in the NFL, and they could still make a push for Jackson. Sam Howell is their projected 2023 Week 1 starter, and it’s still difficult to tell what he will become. Instead, adding Jackson to the mix is a massive upgrade for a team that came up a little short of the playoffs last season. Likewise, staying near Baltimore is a great proposition.
Atlanta Falcons
Michael Vick 2.0? That's how it will likely go down if Jackson joins the Falcons. He fits an offense that has Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. Acquiring Jonnu Smith may indicate their intention to go run-heavy at times, given the additional protection. It would be nice to have the former MVP lead a sequel of the early 2000s Falcons. But it's all wishful thinking because Desmond Ridder is poised to be their starter and they signed Georgia native Taylor Heinicke to a two-year deal worth up to $20 million.
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