We’re entering Week 3 of the latest in the passive-aggressive Lamar Jackson saga with the Baltimore Ravens. After the former unanimous MVP received the non-exclusive franchise tag, a host of squads backed out almost immediately on any pursuit. (No thanks to the Ravens.)
But as the initial fervor of the 2023 NFL free agency period finally winds down, the market of suitors might soon pick up for Jackson. After all, 26-year-old superstar quarterbacks like this don’t often sit around with an uncertain future, and there’s no absolute deadline to nip everything in the bud.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler in a recent SportsCenter hit, we might be somewhat surprised by who enters the fray. (No, the New York Jets don’t count as “surprising” if they fall short of Aaron Rodgers.)
Who, you might ask?
The Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, and even Tennessee Titans, who Fowler says some team executives see as sleeper players for Jackson.
More from ESPN and Fowler:
“And then when you talk about good fits, I asked some executives around the league what teams would make sense. And then you got some wild cards like Tennessee [Titans] or New England [Patriots]. Teams that like to run the ball. You never know.”
Fowler would specifically expand upon the Titans’ fit and even throw in the Vikings, who have 34-year-old Kirk Cousins entering free agency next spring:
“They [NFL executives] mention Tennessee, who just cleared some cap space. They have a new GM Ran Carthon, who’s working on the roster. They could use a running quarterback; they have experience with that in the past. And even a wild card like Minnesota. Kirk Cousins has one year left on his contract if they want to reestablish their identity there.”
These are intriguing fits for a talent like Jackson for several reasons.
In Tennessee, the Titans potentially pairing the QB with someone like Derrick Henry in the option game could be deadly in the AFC. In New England, acquiring Jackson would almost certainly mean the end of Mac Jones’ time as a Patriot. But he would give Bill Belichick the dynamic signal caller he’s been missing since Tom Brady left town. And in Minnesota, even thinking about Jackson launching bombs to Justin Jefferson downfield is a lot of fun.
While we await the developments of an uncertain situation, one fact seems clear: We should start thinking outside the box regarding potential resolutions for Jackson and whichever team he might play on in 2023.