If any team was going to break away from the pack and acquire Lamar Jackson this offseason, the Indianapolis Colts continue to be the “leaders in the clubhouse” when it comes to opinions around the NFL.
The Lamar Jackson saga this spring could be considered complicated at best. The superstar quarterback and the Baltimore Ravens have made little to no progress on a new long-term deal. Negotiations began last year and have only led to the organization placing a franchise tag on him before he could hit NFL free agency last month.
Related: Ravens and Lamar Jackson reportedly still in active negotiations despite trade request
However, the Ravens used a non-exclusive tag, which means any team, including the Indianapolis Colts, could actually make him an offer on the open market. But Baltimore would have the chance to match or be compensated with two future first-round picks. Yet, despite a former league MVP just entering his prime being available, no team has made a move toward acquiring him.
It is a shocking situation in a league where elite QB play is necessary to succeed and win championships. However, over the last couple of weeks, there have been rumblings that the Indianapolis Colts could make a play for the two-time Pro Bowler.
Indianapolis Colts record (2022): 4-12, third place in AFC South
The Colts badly need a franchise quarterback, but despite having a top 5 pick in this month’s NFL Draft, they reside at a spot where only riskier prospects like Anthony Richardson and Will Levis will be available. That is why a move for Jackson could make sense.
There are surely concerns about if they could come to terms on a contract with the QB, but a report on Tuesday suggested Indianapolis could easily secure a trade for him that would only cost them the fourth overall pick in the draft.
Also yesterday, Heavy.com NFL insider Matt Lombardo revealed some more interesting nuggets of intel from around the league. The first came from an NFL scout who claimed, “Teams are interested. Just not publicly. But, there are only two or three teams that truly make sense. You have to be one quarterback away from making a deep playoff run.”
The AFC South will be weak again in 2023, and Jackson could easily be the difference in Indianapolis winning the division and getting a first-round bye in the NFL Playoffs. That’s why the team is likely one of the two teams that make sense as a destination for Jackson. The second bit of information from Heay was specifically about the Colts.
“I think [the Indianapolis Colts] really are the leaders in the clubhouse for Lamar Jackson,” a veteran NFL agent told the outlet.
In March, a report also claimed the team had started to talk internally about pursuing Jackson, but was not ready to make formal overtures. The next few weeks will be massive for the organization’s long-term prospects as they decide which direction to go at QB in 2023.