Jackson asks out
QB told Ravens he wants to be traded
Lamar Jackson said Monday he has requested a trade from the Ravens, saying the team “has not been interested in meeting my value.”
In a series of tweets, the star quarterback said he requested a trade as of March 2. On March 7, the Ravens put the nonexclusive franchise tag on Jackson and said they were still hopeful they could reach a long-term deal with him.
“As of March 2nd I requested a trade from the Ravens organization for which the Ravens has not been interested in meeting my value,” Jackson said on Twitter. “Any and everyone that’s has met me or been around me know I love the game of football and my dream is to help a team win the super bowl.”
Jackson may not need a trade to join a new team. The nonexclusive franchise tag allows him to negotiate with other clubs. However, it also gives Baltimore a chance to match any agreement he makes. The decision to make the trade request public may be an attempt to deter the Ravens from matching another team’s offer — or an attempt to spur more interest among other teams by declaring that he wants out of Baltimore.
If Jackson makes a deal with another team and the Ravens don’t match, that team would owe Baltimore two first-round draft picks.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh spoke extensively about Jackson on Monday at the league’s owners meetings in Phoenix.
“I haven’t seen the tweet. That’s an ongoing process,” Harbaugh said. “I’m following it very closely, just like everybody else is here, and looking forward to a resolution. I’m excited, thinking about Lamar all the time, thinking about him as our quarterback. We’re building our offense around that idea.”
‘Fair value’ to get Rodgers
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he’s not requiring a first-round pick in a potential trade sending four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the Jets but added he’d want “fair value.”
Gutekunst was asked if there was any way in which he could feel comfortable trading Rodgers without getting a first-round pick in return.
“Yeah, I think that’s not a necessity,” Gutekunst said. “But at the same time, the value of the player — he’s a premier player, so getting premier picks back for [premier] players is important.”
Gutekunst and Jets general manager Joe Douglas both discussed trade talks involving the 39-year-old Rodgers, who said March 15 during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on SiriusXM and YouTube that he intends to play for the Jets in 2023.
Rodgers remains under contract with Green Bay but said he wanted the Packers to “do the right thing.”
“There’s been some productive conversations. Obviously, we’re not where we need to be yet. But feel like we’re in a good place.” Douglas said, adding he’s “very optimistic.”
Gutekunst said that “hopefully, we can come to an agreement sooner than later” but indicated he could afford to wait until May or June to make a trade if necessary.
Gutekunst said he tried unsuccessfully to speak with Rodgers on multiple occasions this offseason before the quarterback’s representatives told him he was requesting a trade.
Jeudy not on trade block
The veteran wide receiver market is a little thinner after Broncos coach Sean Payton declared neither Jerry Jeudy nor Courtland Sutton are on the trade block.
Payton made the comments to the NFL Network on Sunday, the first day of the league's spring owners meetings in Arizona.
“We're not trading those two players,” Payton said, acknowledging the Broncos have received inquiries about the availability of the wide receivers who combined for 1,801 yards receiving and eight TD receptions in 2022.
Bills coach to call defense
Bills coach Sean McDermott will be pulling double duty in also serving as the team’s defensive play-caller in Leslie Frazier’s absence . . . The 49ers signed offensive lineman Matt Pryor to a one-year deal. Starter Mike McGlinchey left in free agency to sign with Denver . . . Free agent defensive linemen Michael Dogbe and Henry Mondeaux signed one-year contracts with Jacksonville.