The 2023 league year has officially begun, which means that interested teams can now start negotiating with Lamar Jackson. The quarterback received the non-exclusive franchise tag, and despite several teams saying they’re not interested in Jackson, it’s entirely possible this was a smokescreen to try to get some leverage in negotations. The first wave of free agency is over, and we have an idea about which teams are still left at the alter looking for a quarterback. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the four teams that make the most sense for the former MVP.
The fact the Ravens haven’t paid Lamar Jackson yet is borderline criminal, just pay the man his money. #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/LpUgNVfilu
— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) March 15, 2023
Top 4 Lamar Jackson Team Fits
1. Baltimore Ravens
As of this posting, it appears as though Lamar Jackson will be back in Baltimore for the 2023 campaign. The vast majority of the teams that would be interested in Jackson already added a quarterback, or have already traded up in the 2023 NFL Draft. Just to name a few examples, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield, the Panthers acquired the first-overall pick and signed Andy Dalton, and the Washington Commanders signed Jacoby Brissett. With so few teams actively in the market for a new quarterback, it’s likely that Jackson returns for at least one more season.
2. Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have always made the most sense for Lamar Jackson. After all, Arthur Smith’s scheme appears to be tailor-made for a mobile quarterback, and Jackson would have a few nice weapons in Drake London and Kyle Pitts. The Falcons currently have the eighth-overall pick in the draft, which means they probably won’t have the opportunity to get the franchise quarterback of their dreams. This means that, if the season started today, Atlanta would enter the season with newly-signed Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder under center, and that’s just depressing. The Falcons claimed they’re not interested in Lamar Jackson, but there is no reason for the team to not bring him in for a visit, at the very least.
3. Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts currently hold the fourth-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which means that one of Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis will be on the board when they’re on the clock. That being said, they will not have their choice of quarterback, and there is no way that either the Carolina Panthers or Houston Texans move all the way back to four. If the team only likes one or two quarterbacks, perhaps Indianapolis will skip on throwing a dart at the position and instead go after a proven commodity in Lamar Jackson.
4. New York Jets
This one is admittedly a long shot, but it’s not completely out of the question. Aaron Rodgers announced that he wants to play with the Jets, but New York and Green Bay still need to come to terms on a trade package. Rodgers did a number to hurt Green Bay’s leverage, and there is a chance that the two sides won’t be able to make a deal work. If the Packers truly want a first-round pick and more for a 40-year-old quarterback coming off the worst season of his career, then perhaps they’ll pivot and target a 26-year-old quarterback in the prime of his career.
Main Photo: Tommy Gilligan – USA Today Sports
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