It finally happened: the Ravens on Tuesday used the franchise tag on Lamar Jackson, securing the star quarterback for the 2023 NFL season. Or did they? While Baltimore has indeed used the tag, as long expected, the team has opted for the non-exclusive tender. Not only does this tentatively retain Jackson at a lower price — $32.4 million compared to the $45M guaranteed by an exclusive tag — but, more importantly, it opens the door for other teams to pursue the former MVP.
An exclusive tag would’ve prevented Jackson from testing the open market. The Ravens’ decision to go non-exclusive, however, enables other teams to negotiate with Jackson starting March 13, when legal tampering begins. Should Jackson agree to an outside offer, Baltimore will have the opportunity to match said offer, or allow the QB to sign elsewhere and receive two first-round draft picks in return. Both Jackson and the Ravens have said publicly they desire a long-term partnership, but this is the clearest indication yet that the two sides could actually split.
With that said, which teams are most likely to pursue Jackson in 2023 free agency?
ESPN and NFL Media report that Atlanta will not be pursuing Jackson, but common sense says they should — and might reconsider. Only the Bears have more projected cap space, and while Atlanta has a clear-cut need for a short- and long-term answer at QB, it may be picking too late in the first round (No. 8 overall) to secure one of this year’s top prospects. A year after pursuing Deshaun Watson, coach Arthur Smith is going into his third season atop the staff without any discernible QB future.
11. Detroit Lions
They like Jared Goff well enough to retain him as a veteran placeholder/mentor, and they’re decently positioned to add his successor at the top of the 2023 draft. But with extra picks from their previous Matthew Stafford trade, which obviously brought Goff to town, they’re also capable of exploring a big veteran splash. Imagine Dan Campbell’s energy paired with Jackson’s natural electricity on an ascending roster in a potentially wide-open NFC North.
Ryan Tannehill is under contract, but he’s very expendable after a disappointing injury-riddled season in which GM Jon Robinson was exiled. A full-on rebuild figures to be in the cards as franchise favorites like Derrick Henry are shopped, but with Mike Vrabel always in the playoff hunt, perhaps a veteran swing is…
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