Why Are Falcons Not Trading For Ravens QB Lamar Jackson?
The Atlanta Falcons have all the reasons in the world to trade for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Cap space? Plenty.
Need for a franchise quarterback? Absolutely.
So why, after Jackson was given the non-exclusive tag, are the Falcons sitting this one out?
The non-exclusive tag allows Jackson to negotiate with any team of his choosing and sign a contract. The Ravens have the opportunity to match any deal given to him, but if they choose not to, it will cost Jackson's new team a pair of first-round picks to acquire him.
But that answer isn't good enough. Just a year ago, the Falcons were ready to lay it all out on the line and trade the farm for Deshaun Watson before ultimately losing to the Cleveland Browns, who awarded him a fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million over five years despite having an 11-game suspension this past season.
The Falcons have a lot invested in second-year pro Desmond Ridder. But four starts where he was okay at best isn't enough to lock in with him.
So, why the hesitancy on Jackson, who has won the same amount of playoff games as Watson and one more MVP?
It's possible that the Falcons, and every potential Jackson suitor, don't wish to give the 2019 MVP a fully guaranteed contract that he will likely ask for given how the Browns and Watson set the market last year.
Jackson is a talented quarterback, arguably one of the best in the league and someone who is worth a spot among the highest-paid players in the NFL.
But once a team signs Jackson to a deal, it essentially is an all-in move.
Not only do you have to pay a good chunk of your payroll to him, but you also sacrifice a pair of extremely valuable picks. For the Falcons, that's No. 8 overall in this year's draft.
A team trading for Jackson has to be ready to contend for a Super Bowl this season, and the Falcons aren't quite there yet. They have several holes they need to fill on the pass rush and possibly at right tackle with Kaleb McGary potentially leaving in free agency. It's possible that the Falcons may want to spend on defensive free agents this year like Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III or Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave instead of Jackson. Then, in a year from now after Jackson comes off his non-exclusive tag, then the Falcons can make a play when the team is more complete.
That being said, a player of Jackson's caliber doesn't become a free agent very often and the Falcons should maybe reconsider the idea if his market shrinks or they find a little more urgency in bringing an elite quarterback to Atlanta.
Follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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