NFL rumors: Ravens already tried replacing Lamar Jackson in saddest way possible

With uncertainty surrounding quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens reportedly made offered a contract to a free agent, but were denied.

The Baltimore Ravens are currently facing uncertainty at the quarterback position. Prior to the start of the 2023 league year, the Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson, which would allow him to speak with other teams to negotiate a contract. The thing is, Jackson doesn’t have any takers, and the Ravens are nowhere near close on coming to terms on a contract extension.

It appears that the Ravens have been looking at alternative options at the quarterback position.

According to JoeBucsFan.com, the Ravens made an offer to former Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, but he declined it.

Ravens reportedly made offer to Baker Mayfield, who declined

The link between Mayfield and Baltimore isn’t necessarily shocking, considering ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported back on March 15 that the team looked into him and Jacoby Brissett.

Mayfield went on to sign a one-year, $4 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he is slated to be the starting quarterback and effectively replace Tom Brady, who retired “for good” this offseason.

After a poor start to the season with the Carolina Panthers, Mayfield rebounded with the Los Angeles Rams, showing promise in Sean McVay’s offense. In his four games with the Rams, Mayfield threw for 850 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions while completing 63.6 percent of his passes. In 12 games between the Panthers and Rams, Mayfield threw for 2,163 yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while completing 60.0 percent of his passes.

Jackson’s contract negotiations with the Ravens have gone nowhere, and neither have other teams. Jackson revealed on Twitter this past Monday that he demanded a trade from the team back on March 2. This all happened while head coach John Harbaugh was sitting speaking with the media at the annual league meetings.

The 2019 NFL MVP is set to make $32.4 million in 2023 on the non-exclusive franchise tag.

Baltimore was seemingly preparing for a potential Jackson departure with making a reported offer to Mayfield. But as the NFL world now knows, Mayfield chose the Buccaneers.