Amid the increasingly fraught relationship between superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, there are reportedly some who believe he wants to play for the Miami Dolphins.
“Some believe that Jackson would like to return to his hometown of Miami and play for the Dolphins,” wrote Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “Jackson, given the ability of coach Mike McDaniel to draw up game plans that get the most out of the talents of his players, could work very well as a runner and a passer in Miami’s attack.”
It would be a huge move if the Dolphins were able to somehow acquire Jackson, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
The Ravens reportedly still view him as their quarterback of the future and will franchise tag him if they are unable to work out a long-term deal. It is currently unknown if they will use the exclusive or non-exclusive tag.
From @GMFB: What’s next for #Ravens QB Lamar Jackson? I visited the studio to discuss… pic.twitter.com/ax4Kc7x1oM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 16, 2023
“If they can’t do a deal, he will get the franchise tag,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport said. “… He is still their quarterback going forward.”
The non-exclusive tag would allow Jackson to negotiate offer sheets with other teams. If the University of Louisville product were to sign an offer sheet with another team, the Ravens would then have the right to match the offer or receive two first-round picks as compensation.
One possible roadblock in a potential Dolphins pursuit of Jackson if he were to receive the non-exclusive tag is that Miami does not own a first-round pick in the 2023 draft.
The team had that pick stripped by the NFL due to “impermissible communications” with quarterback Tom Brady and Don Yee, the agent of former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. Miami also traded a 2023 first-round pick in order to acquire pass rusher Bradley Chubb from the Denver Broncos earlier this season.
The Dolphins could wait to pursue Jackson until after the 2023 NFL Draft, at which point the Ravens would get their first-rounders in 2024 and 2025 if they decide not to match a Dolphins offer sheet.
While Jackson may be interested in joining his hometown team, it remains to be seen whether or not the interest is mutual. On Sunday, it was reported that Tua Tagovailoa is expected back as Miami’s starting quarterback for the 2023 season.
He sustained multiple concussions during the 2022 regular season, but it seems like the Dolphins are confident in his ability to lead the franchise moving forward. The University of Alabama product threw for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and just eight interceptions in 13 regular season games.
As for Jackson, the former MVP threw for 2,242 yards and 17 touchdowns while running for 764 yards and three scores. The Ravens are now looking for a new offensive coordinator after the resignation of Greg Roman, and it seems likely that Jackson will be keeping a close eye on whoever the Ravens hire.
Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman is stepping down to pursue other opportunities, per his representation.
The Ravens’ scoring had decreased in each of Roman’s 4 seasons as play-caller, from an NFL-best 33.2 points per game in 2019 to 20.6 points in 2022 (19th in league).
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 19, 2023
The last time Jackson was linked to the Dolphins, he seemingly threw cold water on it. It’ll be interesting to see if the whispers and rumors grow as the offseason gets closer and closer.
