As the NFL offseason continues, fans and analysts alike are pondering the fate of superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson. With reports surfacing that Jackson had demanded a trade from the Baltimore Ravens ahead of their decision to hit him with the non-exclusive franchise tag, many teams are now vying for his services. Two of those teams include the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings.
Colts’ Plan to Draft a Young Quarterback
Despite showing some interest in Lamar Jackson, the Indianapolis Colts have their sights set on drafting a young quarterback with the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Team owner Jim Irsay has made it clear that he wants a quarterback who can be with the team for the next decade. The Colts’ need for a new QB is significant, as both Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan haven’t worked out as expected.
Two of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft – Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud – are expected to be off the board by the time the Colts get their chance to pick, but Levis and Richardson could still be on the board. Irsay is keen on drafting a rookie quarterback because it would free up salary cap space to improve other positions on the team.
A Potential Trade With Ravens
While the Colts are looking to draft a young quarterback, they are also exploring other options – like trading for Lamar Jackson. The fact that Jackson could sign his tag with Baltimore only adds to this possibility. One option discussed is a sign-and-trade deal between Baltimore and Indianapolis that would give draft pick compensation back to Baltimore if Jackson hits certain conditions in his contract with his new team.
However, acquiring Jackson’s services won’t come cheap, as reports suggest that Baltimore could demand two first-round picks in exchange for him. Although money is not an issue for Jim Irsay, the draft-pick compensation would be challenging. There also needs to be plenty of trust among the three parties involved: Lamar Jackson, the Colts, and the Ravens.
Minnesota Vikings as a Potential Suitor
While the Indianapolis Colts have emerged as one of the leading candidates for Lamar Jackson, the Minnesota Vikings aren’t far behind. However, the Vikings will have to navigate significant hurdles – like finding a way to move QB1 Kirk Cousins and tackling other financial challenges – before acquiring Jackson’s services.
Oddsmakers suggest that only the Tennessee Titans have a better shot at trading for Jackson than the Vikings. The price tag for Jackson includes two first-round picks due to his non-exclusive franchise tag with the Ravens. Reports suggest that Jackson has already tweeted his request for a trade and thanked Baltimore fans for their support.
In conclusion, as free agency heats up and the NFL draft approaches, rumors continue to swirl around where Lamar Jackson will end up next season. Both the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings are intriguing choices for different reasons, but only time will tell which team wins out in this high stakes game of quarterback roulette.
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