With Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson catapulting to the front of the race for league MVP after his performance against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16, many have pointed back to a time in the offseason when no teams expressed interest in trading for him.
With contract talks seemingly going nowhere, the Ravens opted to place the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, meaning that any team could submit an offer sheet that Baltimore could either match or receive two first-round picks for the former unanimous MVP instead.
Many teams desperately needed a franchise quarterback and were quick to relay their disinterest in pursuing Jackson.
Former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt spoke on the topic while on the Pat McAfee show this week.
“Everybody in this offseason came out of their way to say we don’t want him,” Watt said. “If your GM said that, fire him.”
J.J. Watt takes aim at NFL general managers on behalf of 8⃣:
“Everybody in this offseason went out of their way to say ‘We don’t want [Lamar Jackson]. We’re not interested.’ If your GM said that, fire him.”
via @ESPNNFL/IG/@PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/lsy7sCife1
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltimoree) December 27, 2023
Many teams that declined to pursue Jackson will still enter this offseason with a glaring need at the quarterback position.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently revealed that no teams reached out to Baltimore after Jackson publicly announced his desire to be traded.
That is not all. Ravens never were approached. Carolina traded multiple 1s for Bryce Young, yet no team ever tried to get a deal done with Lamar Jackson. There never was a team that challenged it once Jackson himself publicly stated he wanted out of Baltimore. Lost opportunity.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2023
The Ravens now sit at the top of the league with a 12-3 record and the MVP favorite at quarterback. Meanwhile, several other teams are probably rethinking their decision to forgo an effort at acquiring one of the league’s best players at the most crucial position.
