“How the hell are you not interested?” - Commanders owner Dan Snyder scolded for not aggressively pursuing Lamar Jackson trade
Will Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson be traded this off-season, or play another season with the team?
The sixth-year was placed on the non-exclusive franchise tag on Tuesday by the team as the two sides still couldn't agree to terms on a long-term deal.
BREAKING: #Ravens are placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson.
Lamar will be allowed to negotiate with other teams and bring an offer back to the Ravens. If Baltimore doesn’t match, they’d lose Lamar and get two 1st-round picks. Here we go.
Shortly after it was announced that the Ravens placed the non-exclusive tag on Jackson, multiple reports surfaced that many teams weren't interested in acquiring Jackson.
On ESPN's Get Up, former NFL offensive lineman Damien Woody questioned why teams such as the Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders, and Carolina Panthers aren't interested in Jackson.
Woody said:
"You mean to tell me the Atlanta Falcons, you know, couldn't use Lamar Jackson, same Atlanta Falcons team that was in on Deshaun. Watson, how about the Carolina Panthers? How about the Washington Commanders, hello, Washington Commanders. This will give you an opportunity to be relevant. Okay, in the NFC."
Woody added that he's confused as to why teams claimed they weren't interested in Jackson minutes after Schefter reported that the Ravens tagged him.
He added:
"So all of these teams that came out and said literally minutes after Sheffy and everyone else broke the news about the nonexclusive tag that they're not interested. It just blew my mind like how the hell you not interested in a 26 year old, former unanimous MVP in the National Football League? Those guys don't become available. They don't grow on trees"
Who will start at quarterback for the Washington Commanders in 2023?
As of right now, the Washington Commanders only have one quarterback (Sam Howell) on their active roster.
He was the team's fifth-round pick in 2022, and started the last game of the season where he led the team to an upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Ron Rivera, the team's head coach, told NFL Network reporter Andrew Siciliano during Super Bowl week that Howell will probably start the team's OTAs and minicamp.
Rivera said:
"Well, I think he most certainly can be. I know this: We will go into OTAs, minicamp, with Sam more than likely at QB1, and we'll see what happens. It's his opportunity. This is a challenge to him. You know, if he comes out and does the things that he's capable of, he can most certainly be our guy, but, we'll find out."
Ron Rivera says Sam Howell is “more than likely” @Commanders QB1.
@nflnetwork https://t.co/DMGSHi5ZV7
After acquiring Carson Wentz from the Colts last year, the team released him this offseason. Taylor Heinicke, a free agent backup quarterback, is anticipated to sign with another team.
The team has the option of trading up in the draft or using their first-round pick (pick 16) to select a quarterback.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Damien Woody, Get Up, ESPN, and H/T Sportskeeda