NFL Odds, Props: Where will Lamar Jackson play next season?

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s season ended prematurely in December due to a knee injury.  With well documented issues over the last two years in coming to terms on a new contract, could Jackson end up somewhere outside of Baltimore next season?

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How Did We Get Here?

Four months ago, the Baltimore Ravens announced they could not come to terms on a new contract for franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson, but this is a scenario that has been building for about two years.  Jackson, who does not have an agent and is representing himself, is reportedly looking for a deal similar to Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson, which is a guaranteed deal worth $250 million over five years.  The sticking point for Jackson is guaranteed money, which Baltimore does not seem willing to do.

There are three options here if you’re the Ravens: sign Jackson to a long-term deal now, franchise tag him, or trade him.  With neither side appearing to be willing to budge, a long-term deal seems very unlikely.  Possibly a more likely scenario is Baltimore franchise tags Jackson and continues to work on a contract.  That would leave the option open to trade Jackson if a deal can’t get done.

The Ravens can tag Jackson for the next two seasons, but that would allow him to hit free agency in 2025, with Baltimore only receiving a third-round pick in compensation if he signed somewhere else.  That makes it much more likely that Jackson will get dealt if the Ravens truly believe a deal won’t get done.  Where could Jackson end up?

Possible Destinations

New York Jets

It’s safe to say former No. 2 overall draft pick Zach Wilson is not the answer to New York’s quarterback search.  Jackson suiting up for the Jets won’t make them the best team in the AFC East as long as Josh Allen is in Buffalo, but it could put them ahead of Miami and New England.

Atlanta Falcons:

Atlanta has all the tools for a franchise quarterback to thrive, they’re just missing one thing: the franchise quarterback.  The Falcons finished last in the NFC South this season, but were just one-game behind division winner Tampa Bay.  With Kyle Pitts and Drake London at his disposal, Jackson could make the Falcons a threat in the NFC South for years.

Carolina Panthers:

The Panthers have been searching for a franchise quarterback for years.  Carolina was reportedly heavily involved in trade talks for Deshaun Watson before he went to Cleveland, so there’s a sense they’re willing to step up and pay the price for Jackson.

Las Vegas Raiders:

We already know longtime Raiders quarterback Derek Carr won’t be back next season, which leaves an opening for a team run by an owner who has shown he’s willing to spend to make his team a Super Bowl threat.  There’s a lot of smoke linking Tom Brady to Las Vegas, but if the Raiders miss out on the G.O.A.T., Jackson would be a very nice consolation prize.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

Tampa is another team that could turn to Jackson as a backup plan if they can’t land Brady.  The Bucs would be replacing one elite quarterback with another and Jackson would instantly improve Tampa Bay’s rushing offence significantly.  However, the Buccaneers don’t have the same draft capital as teams like the Jets, Raiders and Falcons, making this somewhat of a long shot.