Lamar Jackson Requests Trade From Baltimore Ravens

The greatest player in Louisville football history could be on the move.

BALTIMORE - The greatest player in the history of the Louisville football program is wanting to continue his professional career elsewhere.

Former Cardinals star quarterback Lamar Jackson announced Monday in a series of tweets on Twitter that earlier this month, he requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens, whom he has been with since entering the league in 2018.

"I want to first thank you all for all of the love and support you consistently show towards me," Jackson wrote, All of you are amazing and I appreciate y’all so much. I want you all to know not to believe everything you read about me. Let me personally answer your questions in regards to my future plans."

"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. You all are great but I had to make a business decision that was best for my family and I. No matter how far I go or where my career takes me, I’ll continue to be close to my fans of Baltimore Flock nation and the entire State of Maryland. You’ll See me again."

This development comes on the same day that ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Baltimore has been noncommittal with Jackson, saying that the Ravens have been “giving some indications to some free agents they’ve been meeting with that they would like to keep Lamar, they hope he’s there, but they’re not committing one way or the other.”

Back on Mar. 7, five days after Jackson's purported trade request, the Ravens placed him under the non-exclusive franchise tag worth $32.416 million. This meant that Jackson could sign an offer sheet with another team, to which Baltimore has the option to match it and keep him. If the Ravens decline to keep him should another team match, they receive two first-round pick as compensation.

But in the days after the tag was placed, multiple teams voiced that they were uninterested in pursuing Jackson. This included the Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders.

The 6-foot-2, 212-pound quarterback missed the last five games of the 2022 regular season as well as thje playoffs due to injury, but still put together a fantastic year. He completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 2,242 yards and 17 touchdowns to just seven picks, while rushing 112 times for 764 yards and three touchdowns. The Ravens went 10-7 during the regular season, falling 24-17 at Cincinnati in the Wild Card round.

Since being drafted by Baltimore with the final first round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Pompano Beach, Fla. native has been one of the most electric players in the NFL. He has led the Ravens to a 45-16 record as a starter, including winning the 2019 NFL MVP. In 70 total games, he has amassed 16,646 total yards of offense and 125 touchdowns.

Jackson is without a doubt the top player in Louisville Football history. He set numerous records during his three year tenure with the Cardinals, finishing his collegiate career with 9,043 yards passing, 4,132 yards rushing and 119 total touchdowns. He became the school's first ever Heisman Trophy winner after accumulating 5,114 total yards and 51 total touchdowns in 2016.

(Photo of Lamar Jackson: Mitch Stringer - USA TODAY Sports)

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