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The Lamar Jackson-Ravens offseason just entered a new level of messy, the star quarterback for Baltimore has requested a trade from the team.
Jackson made the announcement on his social media account on Monday, and wrote in his statement that on March 2nd he had asked the team to trade him.
in regards to my future plans. As of March 2nd I requested a trade from the Ravens organization for which the Ravens has not been interested in meeting my value, any and everyone that’s has met me or been around me know I love the game of football and my dream is to help a team
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 27, 2023
In his statement, Jackson cited a desire to help a team win the Super Bowl and a need to make a business decision that was best for his family and himself.
The Ravens have been a dominant force in the NFL in recent years, with Jackson at the helm of the team’s offense. He was the NFL MVP in 2019 and led the Ravens to the playoffs in each of the past three seasons.
Despite his success, however, Jackson and the Ravens have been unable to advance past the divisional round of the playoffs, leading some to question whether the team is capable of winning a championship with Jackson at the helm.
In his statement, Jackson did provide some specific reasons for his desire to be traded, he mentioned that the organization is “not interested” in paying him his value on his next contract.
The Ravens have yet to comment on Jackson’s request, but it is clear that the team is facing a difficult decision. Jackson is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL and is still just 26 years old.
The team placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson earlier this offseason, allowing other teams to sign him to an offer sheet that they may match and re-sign him, or decline and gain two first round picks.
For Jackson, a trade would mean a fresh start with a new team and a chance to compete for a championship. There are several teams in the NFL that could use a quarterback of Jackson’s caliber, including the Indianapolis Colts, the Washington Commanders, and the Atlanta Falcons.
It remains to be seen whether any of these teams will be willing to meet the high price it would take to acquire Jackson.
Fans of the Ravens and the NFL as a whole have expressed shock and disappointment at Jackson’s request to be traded. Jackson has been a beloved figure in Baltimore since he was drafted by the team in 2018, and his electrifying play on the field has made him one of the most exciting players to watch in the NFL.
It is unclear what the future holds for Jackson and the Ravens, but one thing is certain: this is a story that will continue to develop in the coming weeks and months.