The Indianapolis Colts have been linked to Baltimore Ravens’ star quarterback Lamar Jackson for several weeks, but fans of the AFC South club better not get their hopes up too high.
During an appearance on NFL Network (h/t Kyle Betz of Heavy.com), insider Ian Rapoport provided a promising update for Ravens fans as well as a not-so-encouraging one for Colts supporters hoping to see their team land Jackson:
“This is really what Lamar Jackson has been looking for in his recruitment of Odell Beckham Jr. and the two are friends, by the way. But there was a clear understanding that when they talk about the quarterback that’s going to be throwing passes to Odell, that it’s probably going to be Lamar…
Now, I guess a crazy thing that could happen is some team could sign him to an offer sheet — we’ve had zero indication that could be the case…All signs point to (Jackson) being the Ravens quarterback next year in some form or fashion, either under the tag or a new contract.”
Indianapolis had been widely linked to Jackson, but Rapoport’s latest report greatly suggests that they’ll have to explore other options.
The Colts are in desperate need of a new starting quarterback, having released 2022 starter Matt Ryan earlier this offseason. They hold the No. 4 selection in this month’s draft, putting GM Chris Ballard in position to find a potential long-term solution.
The Carolina Panthers hold the top selection after trading up via the Chicago Bears, and the Houston Texans will pick at No. 2. Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud will likely be the top two picks, but Ballard will have the chance to take another highly-touted QB in Florida’s Anthony Richardson and/or Kentucky’s Will Levis.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Two weeks ago, Jackson revealed in a Twitter thread that he requested a trade from the Ravens back on Mar. 2. A few days after his request, the Ravens placed the franchise tag on the 2019 league MVP.
If a team signs Jackson to an offer sheet, Baltimore will have five days to match it. If not, they’ll receive two first-round picks as compensation. But as Rapoport indicated, an offer sheet doesn’t seem likely at this time.
