NFL Trade Rumors: Executives name NFC South team as front runners to land Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson tops the list of being the number one quarterback to enter free agency.
There's a chance that Jackson won't enter free agency as the Ravens will try to work on a long-term deal with him. If they are unable to agree on an extension, he is expected to be franchise tagged and traded for compensation for losing him.
According to NFL insider Jason La Canfora, multiple league executives point to the Atlanta Falcons as the most aggressive suitor for Lamar Jackson.
Rumors: Multiple league executives continue to point to the #Falcons as the most aggressive potential suitor for #Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, per @JasonLaCanfora
They went all out for Deshaun Watson last year and nearly got him. https://t.co/XxaxQPYOh6
The Falcons were aggressive last season in trying to acquire quarterback Deshaun Watson. They were seen as the favorites to land him via trade before the Cleveland Browns swooped in and offered him a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract.
Watson was traded to the Browns, and the Falcons drafted rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder in the third-round of the 2022 NFL draft.
The team also signed veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota in free agency, where he entered as the team's starter. He went 5-8 as the team's starter before being benched for Ridder. Mariota finished the season with 15 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and 2,219 yards.
Ridder made his NFL debut in Week 15. He finished the rest of the season as a starter and went 2-2 while throwing for 708 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a pass rating of 86.4.
Can Lamar Jackson be a franchise quarterback that can lead a team to a Super Bowl victory?
Lamar Jackson and Aaron Rodgers are the two hottest quarterback names potentially available via trade this off-season.
While Rodgers has won a Super Bowl, Jackson is yet to make it to one.
Jackson has shown flashes of being a franchise quarterback. He has a regular-season career record of 45-16 and won the league's MVP in 2019.
He's led the Ravens to four playoff appearances despite a 1-3 playoff record.
Many have questioned whether or not Jackson will have the longevity to last in the league due to his running style. He's rushed 727 times in his five-year career and is one of the most explosive quarterbacks in the NFL.
Many teams still view Jackson as a franchise quarterback and would inquire about a trade for him if he is available.