PHOENIX — Monday morning was, to quote the late, great MTV series “The Real World,” when Lamar Jackson stopped being polite, and started being real.
Jackson not only revealed to the world Monday that he requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens earlier this month, he did so when he knew it would inflict maximum damage: As Ravens coach John Harbaugh was about to sit down with reporters from coast to coast at the NFL owners meetings.
John Harbaugh Reacts to Lamar Jackson Trade Demand
Jackson on Twitter announced the following:
“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 win the super bowl. You all are great but I had to make a business decision that was best for my family and I. No matter how far I go or where my career takes me, I’ll continue to be close to my fans of Baltimore Flock nation and the entire State of Maryland. You’ll See me again.”
That perfectly timed bombshell ensured that Harbaugh faced pointed and relentless questions about his franchise QB, who doesn’t want to play under the franchise tag.
The Ravens applied the non-exclusive tag on Jackson on March 7 — five days after Jackson claims he informed the team he wants out.
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Under the tag, Jackson has been free to sign an offer sheet with any team since free agency started 12 days ago. That has not yet happened for a variety of reasons, including the reality that Baltimore has the right to match any offer he receives.
The Ravens have been in control this entire process, and Harbaugh’s sunny disposition Monday even after his quarterback’s power play reflected that dynamic.
“I’m pretty fired up about Lamar Jackson,” Harbaugh said. “Lamar Jackson is a great player. Lamar came back in great shape last year. He was fired up to play. That’s the Lamar I’m looking forward to seeing. Can’t wait to get back on the grass and go to work, and I’m confident that’s going to happen.”
The only way it does not happen? If Jackson has the courage of his convictions to see this gambit the whole way through.
Could Lamar Jackson Sit Out the 2023 Season?
That doesn’t mean just skipping OTAs and mandatory minicamp (which seems all but a given at this point). It means refusing to sign the franchise tender, refusing to show up to training camp, and refusing to play for the Ravens in 2023 — or ever again.
Unless Jackson is willing to give up $32.4 million this year (and beyond), he has no leverage. Everything else is just noise.
The Ravens have proven they’re willing to play the long game, but they’re also built to win now. Harbaugh and GM Eric DeCosta are smart operators. They wisely chose the non-exclusive tag over the exclusive tag, which not only potentially saved the franchise over $40 million over the next three years but also gave them a contingency to quickly pivot a new, young quarterback if Jackson signs elsewhere.
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But Baltimore surely has no interest in the franchise being held hostage by one player. If Jackson refuses to play this year, they’re probably the worst team in the AFC North. So while sitting out hurts him more, the Ravens won’t be without pain.
“This is the real world,” Harbaugh said. “This is big-time pro sports at the highest level. Contracts matter to both sides. The thing I love about the situation, I believe in the end, you’ve got good people working together.
“We’ve been with Lamar, I’ve been with Lamar as a coach for what five years now? We’ve been through some crazy things. Some amazing moments, some tough moments, challenges, ups and downs together. We’ve hugged in the locker room after wins. We’ve hugged in the locker room after losses. Those are things that last forever. Those relationships never change.
“This is part of it. It’s part of the story that’s being written, and everyone’s writing the story. I appreciate that it’s been handled with class. Lamar has handled it with class. Eric and Steve [Bisciotti] and Ozzie [Newsome] and all the people involved on that side are handling it with class. That’s what I appreciate with everyone involved.”