Ravens HC John Harbaugh drops update as Lamar Jackson requests trade
Lamar Jackson has requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens. As contract talks have stalled and the franchise has shown little interest in giving him what he wants, he has requested to be dealt elsewhere.
John Harbaugh has already responded to the trade request, which Jackson just announced on his Twitter.
“I’m getting ready for Lamar. … When Lamar gets back on this train, it’s moving full speed.”
#Ravens coach John Harbaugh, on his QB requesting a trade.
“We love him.”
Per Ian Rapoport, Harbaugh doesn't seem intent on trading Jackson.
“I’m getting ready for Lamar," Harbaugh said. "When Lamar gets back on this train, it’s moving full speed.”
About the official trade request, Harbaugh simply said:
"We love him."
The Ravens don't appear interested in trading Jackson at this point. Based on Harbaugh's statement, he seems to believe Jackson will be back at one point or another.
Still, it's hard to see a path forward for the two parties. With the relationship hanging by a thread, it doesn't look like Lamar Jackson's future is in Baltimore.
Lamar Jackson franchise tag contract details
The Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson this off-season. This effectively serves as a one-year contract. It's worth $32 million as opposed to the exclusive tag of $45 million.
This makes him the equivalent of a restricted free agent in the NBA. In the NBA, an RFA can negotiate with other teams, but the original team has the ability to match any offer and keep the player.
That's what the non-exclusive tag does. Jackson can talk to other teams, but at the end of the day, the Ravens can match any offer. Otherwise, the tag will kick in as a one-year contract.
This is not what Jackson wants, which is why he said on Twitter:
"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."
Now, the two sides are at even more of an impasse and will have to navigate a potentially ugly breakup.