Patriots Won’t Explore Adding Lamar Jackson, per Report

New England is reportedly going forward with Mac Jones in 2023.

The Patriots will not be pursuing Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson this offseason, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Lowe. The report comes off the heels of team owner Robert Kraft saying rapper Meek Mill texted him that Jackson was interested in joining New England on Monday. The rapper is a mutual friend. 

Despite this and Jackson’s latest announcement that he requested to be traded on March 2, it doesn’t look like the Patriots are interested and will stick with Mac Jones next season. The Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson on March 7, so teams can negotiate with the signal-caller on an offer sheet.

If the two sides did agree to an offer sheet and Baltimore didn’t match it, New England would have to trade two first-round draft picks. Not to mention, they’d have to give up the hefty payday that Jackson is looking for. 

Jackson, a former MVP, would be a welcomed addition to any offense—especially the Patriots. New England struggled on the offensive side of the ball in 2022 and failed to make the playoffs with an 8–9 record. Second-year quarterback Mac Jones played in 14 games, tallying 2,997 passing yards, 14 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions. 

But it looks like New England is happy where it is under center and Jackson’s new home won’t be Gillette Stadium.