Ravens Moving On From Lamar Jackson? 'Looking at All' Other QB Options

Is this a "contingency plan,'' as ESPN is characterizing the Baltimore Ravens decision to search for replacements for Lamar Jackson ... just in case? Or is it a bluff?

Maybe it's wise.

Maybe it's a bluff.

Maybe it's a "contingency plan,'' as ESPN is characterizing the Baltimore Ravens decision to search for replacements for Lamar Jackson ... just in case.

The Ravens and their MVP have not yet gotten together and signed a contract for the 2023 season - a situation that ESPN analyst Jeremy Fowler terms "tenuous at best.'' And more, Fowler, reports that the Ravens are in "full contingency mode" at quarterback. ... meaning that their previous exploration of free agent QBs to add has now shifted to an NFL Draft evaluation of candidates.

"I'm hearing the Ravens are in full contingency mode at quarterback and have been for the past two months," Fowler said. "They were heavily in on Baker Mayfield (who went to Tampa Bay); they thought they may have had him at one point. They were in on Jacoby Brissett, who went to Washington. 

"Now, I'm talking to several teams that said Baltimore is looking at pretty much the full spectrum of quarterbacks in this draft."

Which part of this smells like a bluff? Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis are top four QB prospects in this draft. ... and there isn't much chance of them still hanging out when Baltimore picks at No. 22.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said this week that drafting a quarterback in the first round is a possibility.

“It depends on the board. It really does,” DeCosta said. “I’d have to say yes because we have quarterbacks in our top 31. So just based on that alone, simple math, I would have to say yes.”

"Simple''? There is very little about "Lamar vs. the Ravens'' that qualifies as "simple.''