Things are getting very interesting for the Baltimore Ravens.
The organization is not willing to give Lamar Jackson a new contract, and though he’s been franchise-tagged, he wants a deal similar to what the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson. Jackson, a former NFL Most Valuable Player in 2019, has requested a trade from the Ravens. He shared this news on Twitter in a letter thread to his fans. As he goes to the free agent market to show Baltimore that other teams will pay him his worth, the Ravens could need a quarterback in the NFL Draft.
Baltimore has the No. 22 overall pick, but it could make a deal with the Carolina Panthers for the No. 1 pick.
Carolina is trying to build a solid team under new head coach Frank Reich, but it needs a quarterback.
Jackson has experience in the league as a former first-round pick and would make the Panthers the best team in the NFC South. Carolina could get a veteran signal-caller and Baltimore could restart its franchise at quarterback should both teams agree to a trade. Bryce Young, a University of Alabama alum, would be the prize for the Ravens. Baltimore could build a team with talent around Young as he’s on a rookie contract. Ozzie Newsome, a former general manager of the Ravens, is the Executive Vice President of Player Personnel for the team. As a former Crimson Tide player, Newsome loves getting Alabama players to the Ravens. He would not pass up an opportunity to bring a Heisman-winning quarterback from his Alma mater to his pro team. Young to the Ravens makes a lot of sense, especially with it not wanting to pay a huge ticket price for Jackson.
Click here to follow the Bama Elite Podcast
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
