With the draft drawing closer, no NFL team faces a more uncertain short-term future at quarterback than John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens.
Two weeks ago, Lamar Jackson revealed in a Twitter thread that he asked the Ravens for a trade back on Mar. 2. A few days after the request, the Ravens placed the franchise tag on their star quarterback.
If the Ravens end up parting ways with Jackson, GM Eric DeCosta will have to scramble to find a new starting quarterback. At NFL Analysis Network, Kenneth Teape proposed an enticing blockbuster deal in which the Ravens land veteran Ryan Tannehill from the rival Tennessee Titans:
“Baltimore would be an ideal landing spot. They certainly want to be competitive even if Jackson isn’t on the roster and Tannehill has found plenty of success in recent seasons. The Titans have gone 36-19 with Tannehill as their starter the last four seasons, making the playoffs in his first three seasons with the franchise before his injury derailed their 2022 campaign.
What could a trade between the Ravens and Titans look like? Based on recent quarterback deals, a Day 3 pick would likely get the deal done. Baltimore could offer a conditional third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft that could turn into a second based on some incentives, such as Tannehill reaching playing time thresholds or team success…
For Tennessee, the rebuild already looks to have begun. Netting an early Day 3 or late Day 2 pick in exchange for Tannehill is good value based on what other veteran quarterbacks, such as Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan, fetched in trades in recent offseasons.”
There is no timeline on a potential resolution for either side. At this point, it feels highly likely that no team will end up signing Jackson to an offer sheet. If the Ravens opted not to match one, they would receive two first-round picks as part of compensation.
The Titans closed out the 2022 season on a seven-game losing streak to miss out on the postseason. It marked the franchise’s first losing season since 2015, and there was speculation that the team would move on from Tannehill and potentially star running back Derrick Henry.
Right now, the Titans look committed to trying to win in 2023 with Tannehill and Henry. But if the 2019 Comeback Player of the Year ends up on the trade block? It definitely makes sense for the Ravens to consider trading for him.
