Should Jacksonville be rushing to deal Jalen Ramsey?

Should the Jaguars be looking to deal Jalen Ramsey as soon as possible?

When Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey held a bizarre 16-minute press conference on Tuesday, implying several times that he is looking to get out of Duval and make a new start, many assumed he did even more damage to his relationship with the team and even accelerated the timeline of his requested trade.

To make the situation even stranger, Ramsey's trade request came only days before the Jaguars were set to face the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football in Jacksonville. Ramsey and defensive coordinator Todd Wash both said Tuesday they expect Ramsey to play against the divisional rival.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Wednesday the close proximity of the game would play a factor in when Ramsey gets traded. But even if he does play Thursday, what is the rush? 

With the #Jaguars playing the #Titans tomorrow night, a trade of Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey prior to the game is unlikely. Friday is the most likely target date, sources say.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 18, 2019

If Ramsey does suit up against the Titans, it could indicate that no deal is close to happening. Why would a team that is close to striking a deal with the Jaguars want to see the player they are acquiring risk injury? If you're the Jaguars, why would you want to risk anything when a trade is imminent? 

A similar situation took place with Minkah Fitzpatrick recently. He played a game for the Miami Dolphins on Sunday before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, but it is unclear if discussions were had between the teams before Sunday. 

But according to Dianna Russini of ESPN, teams have already called the Jaguars before Thursday. They have simply just backed off due to the Jaguars asking price, which Albert Breer of MMQB said is at least two first-round picks. 

When checking in with sources all over the league, it seems most teams who are interested in Jalen Ramsey have turned away from trading because the price is just too high. I’ve also received info of the multiple teams that are OUT but some have added the words “for now”....

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) September 17, 2019

It makes sense for the Jaguars to ask for a kings ransom for Ramsey because simply put, they have no reason to rush in dealing their best player. It was obvious during Ramsey's press conference on Tuesday that a divorce is happening one way or another but the star cornerback does not have the leverage that the team does. The leverage of time. 

The Jaguars have Ramsey contractually obligated to the roster through the 2020 season. Next year he is due $13.7 million after the team exercised his fifth-year option. If they choose, Ramsey could even be stuck on the team in 2021 due to a franchise tag. He wants out, but the team has the power to wait out his request.

And because of that power and the amount of time they have to sit and wait for the right offer, the Jaguars should be in no rush to deal Ramsey. Could he lead a mutiny in the locker room? Sure. But if its a losing season, there will be a new coaching staff next year regardless. That shouldn't play a factor in this. 

Simply put, the Jaguars have one of the most valuable assets in football with Ramsey. Rushing to deal him simply because he is a headache would be a poor football move because it is a move they don't have to make. 

It is a shame the relationship has came to this point, but the worst move the team could make would be to deal their best player for an underwhelming offer that they don't have to accept. Until a team is willing to pony up multiple draft picks like the team is reportedly asking for they can sit on their hands, and for better or worse, keep Ramsey in town. 

Ramsey will almost definitely be dealt at some point. But unless the Jaguars get the right value in a trade offer, they don't need to rush to make a move. They have all the power and all of the time.