It didn’t take long for the Atlanta Falcons to bow out of the Lamar Jackson sweepstakes. Shortly after the Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, it was reported that the Falcons would not pursue the former league MVP.
Similar reports came out about the Raiders, Commanders, Panthers and Dolphins, prompting some to wonder if the league was colluding to prevent Jackson from getting a fully guaranteed contract.
As for Falcons fans, some were glad to hear the team won’t pursue Jackson, while others were in shock by Atlanta’s reported lack of interest. Here’s how the people of Twitter reacted to the news.
At least 5 Teams will reportedly *not* pursue a contract with 26-year old MVP QB Lamar Jackson.
Those reports are NOT sitting well with other NFL players. pic.twitter.com/DD5FEQYOwg
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 8, 2023
This Lamar Jackson situation needs to get more attention. Teams would rather lose or employ worse players than pay a Former MVP in his prime. Can you imagine Burrows getting a NON Exclusive tag and there being NO interest?! Its INSANE!
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 8, 2023
Why are all of these teams so publicly “out” on Lamar Jackson, an MVP winner in his prime at the most important position in the entire NFL?
What am I missing here?
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 7, 2023
Makes sense based on what Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith have been building. This roster isn’t a QB away and losing a lot of assets, including two firsts, didn’t seem like something the Falcons FO wanted to do https://t.co/vEmwSuBH4L
— Victor Prieto (@victorprieto_11) March 7, 2023
Lamar Jackson is facing a number of obstacles in the open market under the non-exclusive tag 🤔
"Now all of a sudden with Lamar Jackson we all want to get the megaphone and say 'Hey, guess what we don't want him.'" — @Realrclark25 pic.twitter.com/LMRJySNPIw
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 8, 2023
Man if we land Lamar!! The city will go crazy!!!!! I mean crazy crazy l!!!!
— cordarrelle patterson (@ceeflashpee84) March 7, 2023
😂😂😂. Chill why can’t both be nice af?!
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) March 7, 2023
Damn. Thought this would have made a lot of sense for the Falcons https://t.co/sUN4Ovqij3
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) March 7, 2023
So the Falcons joined a bidding war for a man with 26 open accounts of sexual assault but won't entertain a 26 year old former MVP? https://t.co/BquPZD1H0q
— Mike (@bengals_sans) March 7, 2023
W imo they don’t need a QB! https://t.co/sM1qUHHyUT
— Brady Watermeier (@BradyWatermeier) March 7, 2023
– draft a tight end 4th overall in 2021
– draft a wide receiver 8th overall in 2022
– proceed to strap on leather helmets and run the ball like it's the silent film erayeah, this team doesn't know what it's doing https://t.co/dujZGsF5Cl
— “Reasonable” Kevin Tompkins (@ktompkinsii) March 8, 2023
National media attacking the Falcons because they weren't interested in Lamar is kind of hilarious to me. Y'all basically ignored this team for years, and now you care because you want to see the next Vick here? Come on.
— Scott Carasik (@CarasikS) March 8, 2023
I find it genuinely hard to believe that this team/ownership would make such an aggressive push to get Deshaun Watson (with all his legal issues) & then pay him that contract, but yet won’t pursue Lamar Jackson? Yeah, I’m questioning your sources @diannaESPN. Make it make sense. https://t.co/2TdAP19Nx3
— Mark Zinno (@MarkZinno) March 7, 2023
I don't believe there is collusion against Lamar Jackson.
He's had one excellent season, one very good one and three meh. And he's missed 10 games in the last 2 seasons.
And if you want to hang your hat on the MVP, Matt Ryan has one of those too.— The Dadfather (@theseeker428) March 9, 2023
The choice to not even pick up the phone to get someone like Lamar is maddening to me. What have we got to lose besides another year missing the playoffs?!? #falcons #Atl https://t.co/szwWe8SBhW pic.twitter.com/FBremGdvwu
— Khary Payton (@kharypayton) March 9, 2023
Teams being financially responsible about Lamar Jackson comes off as disrespecting him. The problem isn't with how he is being treated. It is with the irresponsible QB deals made by other teams. Unfortunately, Lamar is the collateral damage to teams reevaluating QB money.
— 𝕵. 𝕭. (@JohnnyBSkol) March 8, 2023
That's exactly what I was trying to explain. It's unlikely that Arthur Blank would be willing to pursue Deshaun Watson but not explore the possibility of acquiring Lamar Jackson. I still believe that the Falcons will be active in free agency and at least pic.twitter.com/w95fOnbyOH… https://t.co/9yevnxZzNC
— JOSE ALVARES (@Alvaresjose11) March 9, 2023
Ownership is colluding to discipline labor. The other owners are determined to not let fully guaranteed QB contracts become a trend after Haslam went Rogue and paid Watson. https://t.co/W9X7682MlD
— StartKyleOrton (@startkyIeorton) March 7, 2023
Atlanta Falcons Twitter are we good now??? Let’s have fun this off-season and stop arguing about QB’s!! #RiseUp
— Big Low Kuntry (@biglowkuntry) March 9, 2023
Falcons all in on Deshaun but out on Lamar …. pic.twitter.com/YTsHA7aDne
— Tone Digs (@ToneDigz) March 7, 2023
A year ago the Atlanta Falcons were ready to heavily invest in Deshaun Watson. 💀
Now an MVP QB, Lamar Jackson, becomes readily available and their sights remain on trading even MORE draft capital for a rookie at pick 1. 🙇♂️🤨
This is the definition of a poverty franchise. 🗑️ https://t.co/VRJVaxoiol
— Curt🐻 (@BearBurner) March 7, 2023
Lamar Jackson is a perfect fit for the Falcons offense, the city, the community, etc. He's the second coming of Atlanta's First Son (MV7). It makes sense from every vantage point to pursue LJ8. But I'm supposed to believe they want to move forward with Desmond Midder? Be serious.
— Matt Karoly (@mattkaroly) March 7, 2023
this franchise can go to hell https://t.co/nDq0XydqYJ pic.twitter.com/L3kncmlUQW
— 🦄 (@arkeshrayyy) March 7, 2023
I’m shook. I was 100% sure they’d be in the top two. https://t.co/kKrYZvh37m
— Primetime Carolina (@primetimecar) March 7, 2023
Logs onto twitter…
People still arguing over Lamar Jackson and the Falcons…
Logging off of twitter…😒🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/cAARDzR5h7
— JazzyJeffRealTalk (@JazzyJeffRealT1) March 8, 2023
