Lamar Jackson Trade Request Provokes Colts Interest
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Former All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler Lamar Jackson has officially requested a trade from his five-year suitor, the Baltimore Ravens.
This comes as a bit of a shocker to many, but Jackson made it clear of his thoughts on the matter through Twitter.
"Let me personally answer your questions in regards to my future plans," Jackson wrote on Twitter. "As of March 2nd, I requested a trade from the Ravens organization for which the Ravens has not been interested in meeting my value, any and everyone that's has met me or been around me know I love the game of football and my dream it to help a team win the super bowl."
For the Indianapolis Colts, this perks up the ears a bit. There were vague reports that the Ravens and Jackson would work something out, but clearly, this never came to fruition. There was also the simple thought, “no way the Ravens don’t re-sign Jackson, right?” This shows how much these teams stay tight-lipped with sensitive information.
Colts' general manager Chris Ballard is not only in a crucial season in his respective role, but also in a unique position to either draft a rookie field general or go after the proven product and former MVP in Jackson. Ballard commented on Jackson today at the NFL Owners Meetings, per Stephen Holder of ESPN.
"Anytime a special player is available, which (Jackson) is, you've got to do the work," Ballard said. "I'm not gonna get into deep discussions on where it's at or what we're doing or what we might do. But what I'll tell you is he's a really good player, really special player. But you never know how any of this will work out."
Jackson is so good that even someone who is as money-conscious as Ballard is intrigued. With the gaffs at the quarterback position post-Andrew Luck, it’s understandable why Ballard would be willing to go with a dynamic firework machine like Jackson at the most important position in football.
Since 2017, Ballard has had nearly no stability. Starting with a year with no Luck due to injury, Ballard would only get one campaign with the franchise-level leader in 2018. That year, Ballard saw his team win their lone playoff game with him general manager against the Texans. Since then, it’s been a playoff trip, loss, and nothing more.
Ballard, like nearly every Colts fan, is ready for consistency at quarterback. Will he take the big swing at a game-changer like Jackson? He just might do it given the circumstances and consequences of not winning that are on the line.
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