Here’s something that was said PFT Live, #PFTPM and several other shows. I recently noticed that it wasn’t mentioned here.
The Commanders could make a run on Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The light first flickered after commanders hired Eric Bieniemy. Coach Ron Rivera admitted Sam Howell was QB1 during an interview with PFT Live during Super Bowl week. Rivera made it clear that a year after the Commanders had called literally every other team to see if they had a quarterback on the market, the Commanders weren’t looking for an experienced starter.
Of course, that was before the Ravens gave Jackson a qualifying shot at the open market via the non-exclusive franchise tag.
Obviously, Lamar is a better option than Howell from a football perspective. Jackson would be far more expensive, and one would question whether the investment makes sense for the team in terms of overall roster building and cap/cash allocation. From a football point of view he would clearly make the commanders better.
And if owner Daniel Snyder sells (or if he ultimately doesn’t), adding Jackson would be the perfect bright, shiny object to deflect from the ongoing controversy. If the team does better, attitudes toward Snyder would change, whether he’s still around or not.
If he sells and the team improves under new management, people might be inclined to give credit to the new owner. But if Snyder adds Jackson before Snyder exits, it will be impossible not to give Snyder credit for making the move.
Giving Jackson a fully guaranteed deal (which the Ravens were unlikely to fulfill) would also keep most of the bill in new ownership. And it probably wouldn’t affect the purchase price. Everyone who owns the team has cap and cash obligations. Jackson will simply be part of the player payroll for the new owner.
Then there is the most intriguing point. With fully guaranteed contracts for veteran players currently frowned upon, Snyder could be giving his prospective partners a gigantic middle finger while cruising his superyacht into the sunset.
So, yes, it makes sense that Snyder explores it on multiple levels. It honestly makes too much sense not to pursue the possibility.
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