Lamar Jackson is the top NFL free agent available in 2023 and while many around the league still expect him to play for the Baltimore Ravens, the possibility of a trade to the San Francisco 49ers this offseason may exist.
While Jackson is a free agent, any NFL team that wanted to sign him would need to give Baltimore two first-round picks. The Ravens could also match any offer the former NFL MVP received, adding further uncertainty to his market.
- Lamar Jackson stats (2022): 59.1 ESPN QBR (9th), 17-7 TD-INT, 764 rushing yards
Jackson is seeking one of the largest contracts in NFL history, wanting to become one of the highest-paid NFL quarterbacks and join Deshaun Watson as the only two players to receive more than $200 million guaranteed.
Related: Baltimore Ravens made Lamar Jackson another massive offer
The 26-year-old is arguably one of the best free agents to become available in NFL history. He is just entering the prime of his career, is well-liked in the locker room and is a perennial MVP candidate when healthy.
Capable of fitting in a pro-style offense, as he proved at Louisville, or in a more specialized scheme, winning MVP with play-caller Greg Roman, the two-time Pro Bowl selection is viewed as a championship-caliber quarterback.
Tim Kawakami of The Athletic wrote that San Francisco is evaluating its quarterback options this offseason and trading for Jackson is at least an option.
NFL rules would have an influence on any 49ers’ pursuit of Jackson. The team wouldn’t be allowed to sign him in free agency until May. Under the non-exclusive franchise tag, any team agreeing to an offer sheet with a player must send its first-round picks in the next two draft classes to the team that placed the tag on the player.
Related: San Francisco 49ers draft picks 2023
San Francisco doesn’t have a first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, a result of the front office trading up to draft Trey Lance. While the Ravens could theoretically have Jackson sign his franchise tag and then trade him, there is a more plausible scenario.
Related: NFL insider suggests New York Jets may pursue Lamar Jackson
The 49ers could wait until after the 2023 NFL Draft ends on April 29, then begin negotiating with Jackson. If the two sides agree to the terms of a contract and Baltimore declines to match it, San Francisco would trade its 2024 and 2025 first-round picks.
It’s extremely unlikely to happen, given the organization’s confidence in Brock Purdy, but landing Jackson would make San Francisco the Super Bowl favorite. Kyle Shanahan could build his offense around Jackson, taking concepts he planned to use in 2022 with Lance before his season-ending injury and expanding the playbook even further.
While Jackson’s addition to the 49ers’ lineup would arguably create the best offense in NFL history, the front office’s commitment to its current quarterbacks and an upcoming Nick Bosa contract extension makes a pursuit unlikely.
