Lamar Jackson: Sit Out Ravens Season - Or Seek Trade by Attending NFL Owners Meeting?

The Ravens have slapped the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson, but the quarterback is yet to sign it. Could he "hold out" for the entire season?

PHOENIX - Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens remain locked in what is now more than a two-year contract negotiation. … and on Monday, Jackson issued an official “trade me” statement.

“In regards to my future plans,” he wrote on social media while thanking Baltimore fans for their “love and support, “As of March 2nd I requested a trade from the Ravens organization for which the Ravens has not been interested in meeting my value.”

A letter to my Fans

I want to first thank you all for all of the love and support you consistently show towards me. 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

— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 27, 2023

After several reports stated that the Ravens had offered Jackson a contract last season that would have paid the quarterback around $175 million in guarantees, now comes a rather tense time at the negotiating table.

Or maybe no negotiating at all.

Baltimore put the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson after the two sides could not agree on an extension. But that tag, at the time of writing, remains unsigned.

Should Jackson sign the tender, $32.4 million would be made for the year...but what if he doesn't?

Jackson has until July 17 to sign the tender and be locked into playing for the Ravens next season. But what if the relationship between the player and franchise is beyond repair? Thus, the willingness to play for a team who doesn't value you is not there.

Lamar has done everything but win a Super Bowl for the organization, and yet no offer deemed "worthy" for Jackson has come forward.

Could he sit out the entire season, hoping to get the type of contract he wants? In theory, yes, he could. It would be a stern but costly message that he remains steadfast in his want for the kind of contract he feels he deserves.

Conversely, is Lamar "comfortable" with leaving $32.4 million on the table and walking away? Financially, leaving that sort of money to make a point would be unfathomable for most.

But what if this is now not totally about the money and more so what Jackson feels the Ravens value him? After going 45-16 as a starter, winning the NFL's MVP award, and winning a playoff game, perhaps that isn't enough for the organization to warrant splurging on a fully guaranteed contract.

There's no news, so far, at the league meetings regarding any team making a run at Lamar Jackson. He should consider showing up in Arizona, where any team would be able to talk to him directly, if they want. https://t.co/akojcUvwYq

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 27, 2023

PFT has suggested that Jackson show up here in Phoenix at the NFL owners meetings to essentially shop his wares.

As Lamar is clearly threatening to not sign his franchise tag and play hardball … it becomes a viable idea - if only because both sides seem to have run out of other ideas.

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