Lamar Jackson is going to go into the 2023 season with the biggest chip on his shoulder.
Speculation about the star quarterback potentially landing somewhere kicked up this week after he announced he requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens earlier this month.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft claimed that rapper Meek Mill told him Jackson wants to play for the Patriots. It does not seem like the feeling is mutual.
Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard on Tuesday cited “high-ranking sources” while reporting New England will not make a run at the 26-year-old.
“In fact, even if (Bill) Belichick wanted to pursue Jackson, he would not find support from ownership, sources said,” Bedard wrote. “The Patriots believe that Mac Jones deserves a real shot after not being put in a position to succeed by Belichick last season — something Robert Kraft touched on with his comments on Monday.”
Bedard added: “With Belichick and the Patriots, you can’t 100 percent rule anything out. However, high-ranking sources basically scoffed at the Patriots pursuing Jackson and feel that Kraft would not be on board.”
Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported the same thing.
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Jackson’s contract demands are likely the huge reason why teams continue to publicly state they will not pursue him. a fully guaranteed contract along with sending over draft picks is just too much for a franchise to want a former league MVP.
Teams like the Commanders, Dolphins, Falcons, Jets, Lions, Panthers and Raiders have either gone in different directions at quarterback or are expected to do so.
The Pats could obviously upgrade on Mac Jones with a Jackson deal, but the team has a rookie-QB contract to build around presently.
