Lamar Jackson Could be Headed to NFC West
The Arizona Cardinals have only played superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson one time, a 23-17 win for the Baltimore Ravens back on Sept. 15, 2019. Jackson - in his second season - completed 24-37 passing attempts for 272 yards and two passing touchdowns.
The Cardinals haven't seen him since in the regular season, though Baltimore is one of eight opponents set to visit State Farm Stadium in 2023.
However, there's a slim possibility that Jackson could be a regular at the nest moving forward.
The Ravens placed the non-exclusive tag on Jackson ahead of next week's free agency period. Jackson's allowed to negotiate with other teams but Baltimore can match the offer or let him walk while netting two first-round picks from whoever signed Jackson.
Plenty of teams have already reportedly backed out of the Jackson sweepstakes, but the San Francisco 49ers might just be in the mix according to The Athletic's Tim Kawakami, who noted that the team was evaluating all options at quarterback heading into next season.
"So why would the 49ers bother with even starting down this road? Because the idea of Jackson lining up alongside Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk in 2023 would send jolts of panic through every defensive coordinator in the league," said Kawakami.
"Because Jackson is still only 26 and has already achieved a lot, but has never played in this kind of offense run by this kind of offensive mind. Because Purdy is scheduled to undergo elbow surgery on Friday and because Lance has only started four games in two seasons and is coming off a broken ankle.
"Because the 49ers might be Super Bowl favorites if they get Jackson and possibly wouldn’t have a healthy playoff-level QB if they don’t. And because Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch, York and their best players are starving for a championship after falling just short in three of the past four seasons."
There's a lot that would go into acquiring Jackson, as Kawakami pointed out. The 49ers would be stretched in cap space and would have to wait until the 2023 NFL Draft to make the deal happen since they don't have a current first-round pick.
Jackson would make the 49ers the top offensive unit in the league, and a nightmare for the Cardinals to handle at least twice a season.
Unlikely? Probably. But this is the NFL - the world's best reality show - and nothing can ever truly be thrown aside.
Click Here to Follow All Cardinals on Facebook
Click Here to Subscribe to All Cardinals on YouTube
Arizona Cardinals Top Stories
Greg Dortch Says He's Returning in 2023
Cardinals Upgrade Defense in Three-Round Mock Draft
Cardinals Clear $5.3 Million in Cap Space
Zach Allen Named Top Ten Free Agent
Marquise Brown Defends Kyler Murray
