While they may not have ever been close to actually making a trade or contract offer, the San Francisco 49ers did look into the idea of acquiring superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The San Francisco 49ers are in an interesting position. They remain one of the elites of the NFC and should be a serious contender to reach the Super Bowl early next year because they have a top-notch running attack and added star Javon Hargrave to an already ferocious defense.
Yet, the team has obvious questions about the most important position on the field: Quarterback. Winning an NFL championship without an elite QB is extremely difficult and the team isn’t sure if Brock Purdy or Trey Lance can take them to the next level in 2023. Both have limited experience in the league and there is no guarantee they can elevate their games to the next level as the starter next season.
That is why the team has been linked to possible moves for big-name signal-callers like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers in recent months. Both veteran QBs are now out of the question after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback retired earlier this year and the Green Bay Packers great was traded to the New York Jets on Monday. However, Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson is still up for grabs.
The one-time MVP has yet to sign his franchise tender as he seeks out a long-term extension. Furthermore, his franchise offer is non-exclusive and allows rival teams to make free-agent offers to him. Unfortunately for the young star, those offers have not come, but, it seems that the San Francisco 49ers actually pondered the idea of acquiring Jackson in a trade or in free agency.
San Francisco 49ers record (2022): 13-4, first place in NFC West
During his pre-NFL Draft presser last week, 49ers general managers John Lynch was asked if Lamar Jackson was still an option, and Lynch did not deny they explored the idea.
“You look into everything, and we seem to be linked to everything. I can tell you, I think it’s how convicted we are on Brock, on this current group of guys. You’re not doing your job if you don’t look into things. A lot of those things I think you’re limited by the way our roster is set up and the other thing is, what’s your motivation? And there’s more than just Lamar, there are tremendous players, MVP-type players. We really like our guys and we like where we’re at. So, I’ll just leave it at that.”
– John Lynch [h/t Pro Football Talk]
The San Francisco 49ers have a great deal of money locked up to different players on the roster and will soon have to play pass-rushing ace Nick Bosa, so a move for Jackson and the massive long-term contract he is seeking just seems unlikely for San Francisco.