ATLANTA — Star Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson could be headed to a new team this NFL offseason. Could the quarterback-needy Atlanta Falcons be that team?
According to Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein, Jackson will not be a Falcon.
Multiple league sources told Klein that the team isn’t engaging in talks with Jackson.
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Per multiple NFL league sources, Lamar Jackson is not going to play for the Atlanta Falcons.
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) March 7, 2023
Team will not engage in talks with Baltimore. It's not happening.
Jackson won the NFL MVP award in 2019 and has been one of the most dynamic players in the NFL since entering the league in 2018. In the last two seasons, Jackson has struggled a bit with injuries, appearing in 12 of 17 games in both 2021 and 2022.
The 26-year-old Jackson and his future are one of the biggest storylines of the NFL offseason.
After the Ravens placed nonexclusive franchise tag, Jackson is set to make $32.4 million next season. Although it is unlikely Jackson will play on that contract as he tries to secure a long-term deal worth upwards of $200 million total.
The nonexclusive tag means that Jackson can talk to other teams, but if they make an offer, the Ravens have a chance to match it.
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With Jackson not coming to the team, the Falcons will likely add another quarterback to their roster this offseason, either via the draft or free agency.
Last month, the team released veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota, who started 13 games for the team last season, finishing 5-8.
Atlanta holds the No. 8 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and could look to add another young quarterback to its roster to pair with second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder.
In an interview at The NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis, Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot kept the door open to selecting a rookie quarterback for the second year in a row.
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