Five teams who could move for Lamar Jackson after NFL trade request
A number of teams might now be considering altering their off-season plans after Lamar Jackson confirmed his preferred option to be traded away.
The Baltimore Ravens were rocked by Jackson's tweet on Monday when the quarterback opened up about his future, revealing he had asked to be traded away from the team earlier this month, and clearly has no intention of changing his mind.
Jackson stated that he handed in the request on March 2, after failing to come to an agreement with the team on a long-term deal - something the two parties had discussed for around 18 months.
After failing to agree a deal, the Ravens slapped the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson prior to free agency getting underway.
This move means that Jackson is allowed to speak to to other teams to agree a deal, or potentially set up the potential for a trade away from the Ravens.
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But so far, surprisingly no team has made a formal approach for the former MVP... something that could now change after today's announcement.
And with Jackson now seemingly firmly available, which teams might be considered realistic contenders to make a move for the superstar quarterback? Mirror NFL takes a look at the five most likely landing spots.
Lamar Jackson might have a few suitors after announcing his intentions to leaveAtlanta Falcons
The team who many expected to be the leaders in the clubhouse in the Jackson sweepstakes, Atlanta Falcons would make a lot of sense.
The Falcons deploy the exact offensive scheme that Jackson thrives in, spreading out the wide receivers - giving the quarterback the option to run, as well as being a run-first team.
The team is in a strong position to bounce back from a disappointing few years, while having two strong receiving options in Drake London and Kyle Pitts as well as a solid offensive line.
The Falcons have a history of mobile, explosive quarterbacks, with Michael Vick dominating for a number of years - a player who Jackson has been compared to, while under centre they currently have second year option Desmond Ridder and free agency recruit Taylor Heineke.
Washington Commanders
A similarly exciting option would be with the Commanders, a franchise who have been tormented for decades with disappointing play from the quarterback position.
In Washington, Jackson would also have a solid offensive line while being backed by a strong, rising defence who would be able to keep the team in close games.
The Commanders currently look to be starting former fifth round pick Sam Howell for the forthcoming season and picked up veteran Jacoby Brissett in free agency. There are issues at QB that would eradicated by any Jackson arrivals, as the rest of their roster looks strong enough to compete in a very weak NFC.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Could Lamar Jackson replace Tom Brady?Going from Tom Brady to Lamar Jackson would be a step up, and immediately put the Buccaneers right back into Super Bowl contention.
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This time last year, many saw the Bucs as having the best entire roster in the NFL - and very little has changed besides losing Brady.
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage would give Jackson by far the best set of playmakers around him having worked with very little beyond Mark Andrews throughout his NFL career.
The Bucs only have Baker Mayfield on a low-price contract, along with former second-round pick Kyle Trask, who is yet to throw a touchdown in the league.
Detroit Lions
The move that neutrals would like to see the most, the Lions are quickly becoming the most exciting team in the NFL, and just need their franchise quarterback.
Jared Goff performed well enough last season, but it's unlikely that he's ever going to be any more than a below-average starting quarterback, as he's shown in his six years so far.
Boasting one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, Jackson would elevate the Lions into one of the favourites to win the NFC and in Amon-Ra St Brown and fit again Jameson Williams he would have one of the most explosive wide-out duos in the league to work with.
New England Patriots
After drafting Bailey Zappe in the fourth-round and at times giving him starting snaps over Mac Jones, it appears that the quarterback position is not yet settled in New England.
With head coach Bill Belichick coming towards the end of his career, could he look to put his team in a much stronger position to compete by acquiring Jackson?
The Pats would need to add much more to their roster than just the Baltimore quarterback to compete, but it would be a great start in getting the franchise back where they have been last decade.
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