Even after placing the franchise’s non-exclusive tag on Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens scoured quarterbacks in the free agency market.
League year 2023 officially opens at 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, March 15, and some of the best free agents are stepping off the plate, especially the quarterbacks. As for the Baltimore Ravens, they’re facing some uncertainty over Lamar Jackson, who is set to sign a new contract. The team has placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, which pays him $32.4 million for the 2023 season but allows him to talk to other teams about a potential deal. Jackson is reportedly looking for an almost all but guaranteed deal.
But how confident are the Crows that they can keep Jackson for at least the 2023 season?
According to ESPN’s senior NFL correspondent Jeremy Fowler, the Ravens explored the market for quarterbacks in free agency and even looked at Baker Mayfield and Jacoby Brissett.
The #Ravens, who are facing uncertainty about Lamar Jackson’s future, have participated in the free agent broker market, looking at options like Baker Mayfield and Jacoby Brissett, according to league sources. Baltimore seems to be looking for flexibility.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 15, 2023
NFL rumour: Ravens looking at QBs could be preparation for the loss of Lamar Jackson
As for the options Fowler listed for the Ravens, they are no longer available. Mayfield signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As for Brissett, he signed a one-year deal with the Washington Chiefs, apparently to compete with Sam Howell for the starting quarterback job.
The Ravens actually made a move on Wednesday, and it was an inside deal. They placed a right of first refusal on Tyler Huntley, since he could sign the offer sheet by April 21, and the Ravens would have to match it. If not, he’s under contract for the 2023 season for $2.627 million.
Huntley filled in for Jackson late last season after he suffered a sprained anterior cruciate ligament. Huntley went with a 2-2 record and threw for 658 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions while having a completion percentage of 67.0. In the playoffs, Huntley nearly led the Ravens to a wild card round victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
With Jackson, he can start talking to interested teams now that the league’s year is open. If a team signs an offer sheet, the Ravens will have to match it. If they declined, the team interested in Jackson would have to give Baltimore two first-round picks.
The Ravens technically have Jackson under contract for next season, unless a team signs him to an offer sheet. But it looks like they were doing their due diligence with regards to the quarterback.
