It was about 9 months in the past when Lamar Jackson wished to be traded from the Baltimore Ravens. One of the best quarterback within the historical past of two perpetually linked franchises — the Ravens and the Cleveland Browns — was on the open market. Jackson is the one participant in addition to Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes to win an NFL MVP since 2017. There was no clamor for the providers of a participant that completed.
Jackson ultimately signed a 5-year, $200-plus million take care of the Ravens. On Christmas evening, they extinguished the crimson sizzling San Francisco 49ers, 33-19. The 16-point margin of victory doesn’t inform the whole story of the sport. The Ravens intercepted the 49ers’ prime NFL offense 5 instances and allowed factors on solely three possessions. Following a security on their first possession, the Ravens scored on seven consecutive drives. Jackson handed for 252 yards, two touchdowns and led his staff in dashing.
His efficiency on Monday evening ought to surge him back to the top of the MVP dialog. It was one among many video games through which he was in full management. On a area with two different potential MVP winners — Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey — Jackson was clearly the perfect participant.
A participant who may have been on any of the opposite 31 groups within the league, if one among them made a robust push to get him. The Ravens initially put Jackson on the non-exclusive franchise tag after final season. In alternate for 2 first-round picks, Jackson may have been acquired if the Ravens selected to not match a contract provide for him. In response to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, not one of the different groups made an effort to go and get Jackson.
There have been a number of groups that made it public, in March, that they had no interest in him. That features the Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons. Commanders head coach Ron Rivera and Falcons staff proprietor Arthur Clean each gave statements that shut down any thought that their groups would have curiosity within the 2019 MVP, lower than every week after Jackson posted on Xwitter that he wanted to be traded. Each of these groups would have been among the many greatest within the NFC with him behind heart.
Beginning quarterback is arguably essentially the most tough place to fill in the whole NFL. But, no staff made an effort to pursue the most effective 5 on the earth. I’m gagging from the stench of collusion within the air, however it is going to by no means be investigated. Everybody ended up getting what they wished.
Jackson signed a deal in step with the highest QBs within the NFL. That deal didn’t power the Ravens to make a market-shaking provide. The deal pays him extra yearly than what Deshaun Watson receives, however has nowhere close to the ensures. Watson’s deal is totally assured, and the rumor was that Jackson wished the identical factor.
By Jackson signing a deal that paid made him the best paid quarterback within the NFL — $2 million extra per yr than Russell Wilson — Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert each signed offers over the summer time with little to no drama. They each make barely greater than Jackson, and the QB market was again on monitor.
With the common season coming to a detailed, the Ravens have the perfect report within the NFL. The Commanders traded away two of their greatest gamers previous to the commerce deadline, and quarterback play is probably going going to value the Falcons an NFC South title that was extraordinarily winnable.
The NFL wins once more.
