Former Vikings GM Shares Thoughts on the Lamar Jackson Situation

Former Vikings GM Shares Thoughts on the Lamar Jackson Situation
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Earlier in the week, Baltimore Ravens star QB Lamar Jackson revealed that he had requested a trade from Baltimore prior to free agency. In the aftermath of his now-public request, there has been a litany of rumors swirling around where the former MVP could end up in 2023. One of these presumed landing spots has been the Minnesota Vikings, especially after they were listed as one of the favorites to land him.

Former Vikings GM Rick Spielman also weighed in on the issue via his new home, The 33rd Team. Spielman suggested that there are “no options” for Baltimore because of what he means to their franchise, but they also have to keep in mind the business side of things as well. This puts them largely in a lose-lose situation in terms of keeping or trading Jackson.

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
Jan 1, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) holds a ball on the sidelines during the game Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Spielman went on to add that, if Baltimore did trade Jackson, he is worth “way more” than two first-round picks, which is what a team would have to give up in order to sign him due to his non-exclusive franchise tag.

“You have to look at what Denver gave up for Russell Wilson; you have to look through some of these other quarterback trades, especially a guy of Lamar’s talent, at the age he’s at right now,” said Spielman.

Dec 10, 2018; Seattle, WA, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman (left) and president and co-owner Mark Wilf watch from the sidelines during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Last offseason, the Broncos moved a boatload of picks and players in order to acquire Wilson. They sent Seattle two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, tight end Noah Fant, quarterback Drew Lock and defensive end Shelby Harris. All this to acquire a 33-year-old Wilson while Jackson is just 26.

A year prior, the Los Angeles Rams moved two first-round picks, and second-round pick, and QB Jared Goff in order to acquire Matthew Stafford. And now this spring, we’ve seen the Carolina Panthers trade two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and WR D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears just to be able to draft a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick.

The NFL QB Plot Continues to Thicken Ahead of Free Agency
Aug 27, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) stands on the sidelines durning the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Based on the QB trade market alone, Jackson should be able to fetch Baltimore more than two first-round picks. The question remains, what team is going to not only be willing, but able to put together a massive draft package to acquire him and then also sign him to a huge contract?

I’ve shared my doubts regarding the Vikings acquiring Jackson in the past, and it largely comes down to that very real and very large obstacle. Minnesota has already pushed massive amounts of QB money into future years by restructuring Kirk Cousins’ contract, so it simply doesn’t feel like the timetable matches up for Minnesota to acquire the Ravens QB.

Regardless, this continues to be the situation in the NFL that captures headlines on a daily basis and rightfully so. Jackson is a star player and certainly will garner interest from teams for his services.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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