NFL veteran Lamar Jackson has received the non-exclusive franchise tag. This means other teams are eligible to negotiate with the quarterback and potentially sign him away. Jackson spent the 2022 season with the Baltimore Ravens
The #Ravens have officially franchised tagged QB Lamar Jackson, giving him the non-exclusive tag. pic.twitter.com/MXzOHvJbWI
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2023
Lamar Jackson Receives Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag
Lamar Jackson’s 2022 season was highlighted by injury after starting as a clear-cut MVP candidate. The Ravens quarterback started the first 12 games of the season racking up 2,242 yards. He completed 62.3% of his passes with 17 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Jackson also torched opposing defenses on the ground. He racked up 764 yards on 112 attempts. The former Louisville Cardinal put up a staggering 6.8 yards per attempt and three rushing touchdowns.
Jackson was well on his way to another MVP season with an 8-4 record. His first MVP season came by way of a unanimous vote in 2019 after a sensation season. The electric quarterback suffered a knee injury spraining his posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) against the Denver Broncos in week 13. Jackson was questionable week-to-week but would not return during the 2022-2023 campaign.
Jackson entered the NFL draft in 2018. The Ravens drafted Jackson in the first round with the 32nd overall pick. He was widely regarded as a tremendous athlete but lacked refined passing skills to play quarterback in the NFL. Some pundits even discussed him changing positions to wide receiver thanks to his incredible athleticism.
Jackson took over starting duties roughly halfway through his rookie season. Joe Flacco suffered a hip injury, sidelining him for the rest of the season. Jackson would finish the season 6-1 with 1,201 passing yards, 695 rushing yards, six passing touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also added five scores on the ground as a rookie.
Later, during the postseason, Jackson becomes the youngest quarterback to start an NFL playoff game during a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers 23-17. Jackson helped erase a 20-point deficit to pull the Ravens within a touchdown during the Wild Card contest. With less than one minute left, Jackson had a chance to lead a game-winning drive, but would ultimately be strip-sacked by Uchenna Nwosu and leading the way to a Chargers victory.
Main Photo: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
