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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
If Lamar Jackson is one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, which we know him to be, we should also give him credit for being one of the NFL’s best agents.
How else could you describe someone who made his client the highest paid quarterback in NFL history once, is almost certainly going to do it again, and also put in a no-trade clause that lets him dictate his own future.
It’s that no-trade clause that’s going to make Jackson, who represents himself, such a hot topic this offseason and likely from the moment the season ends for the Baltimore Ravens — whether that’s following a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular season finale in Week 18 or when the Ravens almost certainly get boat raced by another team in the AFC Wild Card Round.
Fox Sports suggested Jackson could find a new home with the Las Vegas Raiders for several reasons — the main one being the Raiders have $104 million in salary cap space which could mean they could handle Jackson’s looming contract extension along with bringing in some talent to put around him.
From Fox Sports: “Luckily for Las Vegas, one of the best quarterbacks of the last 10 years could be available in the coming months. Jackson would certainly elevate a Raiders offense that’s looked pedestrian, at best, over the last few seasons, and rank last in yards and scoring entering Week 17. Of course, that could also work against the Raiders in their possible pursuit of Jackson if he were to get a say in his next destination.”
Why Jackson Could Be Leaving Baltimore
If we’re looking for a reason Jackson is leaving Baltimore boiled down to one word: Apathy. Jackson has seemed entirely uninterested this year unlike any other in his career and that’s not what you really want out of someone on a 5-year, $260 million contract.
The most damning allegations that speak to this came from The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston that laid out a scenario in which Jackson has become disconnected from his teammates and his coaches to the point there is a different set of rules for Jackson which include moving practices, not paying attention in meetings (because he’s up all night playing video games) and a general disconnection from what makes a great playe truly great.
For a 2-time NFL MVP it’s an unusual development and seems to speak to why he needs a fresh start, which he could get in the desert with the Raiders.
Raiders Have Infrastructure in Place … Mostly
If Jackson were to approve a trade to the Raiders, the biggest thing working against them would be the deal itself as they would likely have to give up multiple first round picks — although thats not a crazy hurdle to get over.
If the Raiders end up with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, that might be a way to make the trade happen, straight up — Jackson in exchange for the top pick and you sign him to an extension.
The Raiders already have one elite offensive player in place with NFL All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers and could have another in 2025 first round pick and running back Ashton Jeanty.
On defense, they have a firestarter in edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who would likely be enticed to stay and not seek his own trade if Jackson comes in.
Add Jackson along with a wide receiver and another elite defensive starter in free agency or through the draft and you might have a playoff team.
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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