The Baltimore Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson. That enables Jackson to negotiate with other teams, but the Ravens will have the opportunity to match the offer. If they don’t match it, they will receive two first-round picks. Here are five potential landing spots for Lamar Jackson.
1. Baltimore Ravens
While he likely isn’t thrilled with being put on the franchise tag, the move gives the Ravens more time to negotiate with Jackson. It also gives them the right of last refusal, as they can match any offer another team gives him. There is still a decent chance that Jackson is playing for the Ravens in 2023.
There is some separation on the guaranteed money between the two sides, but Jackson can take the best offer and still end up back in Baltimore. Doing so gives him a good shot to win moving forward, as the Ravens have a solid roster and made the playoffs last year even with Jackson being hurt down the stretch. With the coaches publicly saying that they want Jackson back, this non-exclusive franchise tag could just be a slight hiccup in the negotiations.
2. Washington Commanders
The Commanders have over $15.5 million in cap space and likely clear more to sign Jackson. On top of that, Jackson can stay close to where he has made his home over the last five seasons. With a potential selling of the team coming, ownership may not mind giving Jackson the guaranteed contract he desires.
Ron Rivera has worked with quarterbacks who were able to run before, as he was the head coach when Cam Newton won his MVP in Carolina. Washington has had a solid roster over the last few years, but have been lacking a quarterback. Getting a player like Jackson improves their playoff chances immediately.
3. New York Jets
There were rumors that the Jets’ front office wanted Derek Carr, but ownership wants Aaron Rodgers. Carr is now a Saint and while Rodgers is talking to the Jets, things could fall apart, or they could want more of a long-term solution. Jackson could be a more permanent solution at the quarterback position for the Jets.
While the Jets don’t have a ton of cap space, they could find a way to manipulate the cap and afford Jackson. For a team that already had a great defense last season, improving their quarterback play could help them make the playoffs out of the difficult AFC East.
4. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers looked like they would be in prime position to get one of the top quarterbacks in the draft after a poor start to last season. Then interim coach Steve Wilks led them to some wins. With the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, they may have to trade up to get a top quarterback. An alternative could be signing Jackson.
Carolina would also need to make some cap space for Jackson, but it is possible to sign him. They have struggled to find a quarterback since Cam Newton’s decline. While he may not fit into Frank Reich’s system, a talent like Jackson doesn’t come available very often in the NFL and is a better option than what they may be left at with pick no. 9 in the 2023 NFL Draft.
5. Tennessee Titans
Tennessee has released plenty of veterans to clear up cap space this offseason. That might come in handy if they decide to pursue Jackson. The team has had solid quarterback play from Ryan Tannehill over the last few seasons, but they have been unable to advance very far in the postseason.
By cutting Tannehill, the Titans could afford Jackson. They could pair him with Derrick Henry in the backfield to have one of the best rushing attacks in the league. The Titans would likely have to trade up to get a top quarterback from this draft so a move for Jackson may actually be easier on the franchise.
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