NFL Trade Rumors: Ravens sniffing around QB market for Lamar Jackson replacement
The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson contract negotiations continue to roll on. Such is the frustration over the deal not being finalized that the Ravens reportedly reached out to Baker Mayfield.
The former Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Rams quarterback was on the radar of the Ravens, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Jacoby Brissett was another name on the list that the Ravens thought about. But he has since signed with the Washington Commanders, to compete with Sam Howell for the starting job.
Mayfield has since signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so that door is closed, but it does make us think what Baltimore is doing at the quarterback position.
Update: The #Ravens have looked into possibly signing free-agents Baker Mayfield and Jacoby Brissett due to uncertainty with Lamar Jackson, according to @JFowlerESPN
Baker had since signed with the #Bucs and Brissett signed with the #Commanders https://t.co/Pm8VnV66bi
Tyler Huntley stepped in for Jackson for four games last year and went 2-2 as the Ravens made the playoffs before being dumped out by rivals Cincinnati Bengals.
With Lamar Jackson being offered the non-exclusive franchise tag (which at the time of writing he hasn't signed), his future remains in doubt in Baltimore.
Also, with the Ravens seeking veteran quarterbacks, it appears that they aren't sold on the idea of Huntley as the starter. Nor are they confident that Jackson could play under the tag.
Who would have been a good replacement for Lamar Jackson?
Regardless of whether Mayfield was signed or Brissett, it would have been seen as a stop-gap arrangement for the Ravens. But both could have given Baltimore a decent enough chance to win football games.
With a stellar defense, the Ravens could plug nearly any decent quarterback into their system and reap the rewards. Let's not forget that with Huntley, they pushed Joe Burrow and the Bengals all the way in the playoffs until the unfortunate fumble.
So, the pieces are there for the franchise to move forward and be a playoff team regardless of who the quarterback is. But in reality, everyone wants that quarterback to be Lamar Jackson.
Whether it will be remains to be seen, but the Ravens shopping around for veteran quarterbacks seems to hint that perhaps Jackson's time in Baltimore is coming to an end.