When you tune into an NFL game with two backup quarterbacks playing, it’s typically a slog. That was not the case when Tyler Huntley led the Baltimore Ravens to a 41-24 victory over the Malik Willis led Green Bay Packers on Saturday night, keeping Baltimore in the playoff hunt.
Huntley’s strong play Saturday and Lamar Jackson’s inconsistency this season amidst his laundry list of injury struggles both fanned the flame of speculation around Jackson’s future with the Ravens.
NFL reporter Mike Sando of “The Athletic” shed some light on the situation in his column on Monday morning.
“As for Jackson? Heâs under contract through 2027, but a prominent NFL agent said Sunday what more people are thinking: ‘The biggest story of the offseason is going to be Lamar. That is going to be crazy,’” Sando wrote.
“If you are Baltimore, do you push for max value in a trade while you can get it, or do you stick with Jackson for the long term?” Sando continued. “The team is 3-5 in the playoffs with Jackson, including 1-2 after his two most impressive statistical seasons. That’s a consideration as well.”
If Jackson and the Ravens fall short this weekend in a “win and in” game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jackson may very well find himself elsewhere in the 2026 season.
Jackson’s Unique Situation Causing Turmoil In Baltimore
Lamar Jackson has continually fallen short in the postseason in his career with the Ravens, which has caused many to wonder if he might just not be the right fit in Baltimore anymore.
Jackson is under contract in Baltimore through the 2027 season; he’s owed $51 million in each of the next two seasons. Strangely enough, Jackson doesn’t have an agent, which has muddied the waters in his relationship with the Ravens front office.
âThe fact that Lamar does not have an agent is really a big negative,â an NFL team exec said to Sando. âWho is talking to Lamar? Who is having the honest conversations? Where is he getting advice in terms of how to deal with these injury things? There needs to be a buffer there for that process to work.â
Jackson would have to be traded out of Baltimore, and despite his injury and inconsistency concerns, would surely command a high, high price from other teams. The Ravens may have to make a difficult decision: keep Jackson and hope things get better in the future or trade him for a stockpile of valuable draft picks and re-tool around a younger QB.
Much of this talk can be avoided if Jackson comes back and sets the world on fire in week 18 and into the playoffs, but he hasn’t proven at all this year that this is the season for him.
Sando Calls For Ravens to Trade Jackson, Sign Malik Willis
Ravens fans may have gotten a preview of their future quarterback on Saturday if Sando’s projection comes to fruition. Malik Willis has performed admirably in his time as Green Bay’s backup, and was spectacular on Saturday against Baltimore, going 18-for-21 for 288 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 60 yards and two touchdowns.
Willis is younger, has less wear and tear, plays a similar style, and is far cheaper than Lamar Jackson. His contract is up at the end of this season, meaning he’d be ripe for the picking for Baltimore if they choose to move on from Jackson.
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