Free agent quarterback Lamar Jackson continues to search for a place to play, and the Atlanta Falcons have been tied to the quarterback for weeks.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank has said publicly that the team planned to keep quarterback Desmond Ridder for 2023 and would not go after 2019 NFL MVP Jackson.
But during an appearance on «The Rich Eisen Show» Friday, head coach Arthur Smith suggested the organization discussed adding Jackson to the roster.
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball during the first half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 27, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
«Anything that’s available in the league, if you can improve your roster, we discuss that. That’s at every position, whether it’s fifth corner or backup gunner on a punt. We’re always going to look to add at every position,» Smith said when asked if the Falcons had talked about Jackson.
«Those discussions happen all day, every day. I understand some players get more attention than others, but we absolutely did.»
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After discussions, the team ruled out trading for Jackson, according to Blank and Smith.
Ridder, selected in the third round of the 2022 draft, completed 63.4% of his passes for 708 yards and two touchdowns in four games last season. Those numbers were apparently enough for the Falcons to name him their starting quarterback for 2023.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, right, watches as players are asked to leave the field as part of a safety timeout during the second half of a game against the Seattle Seahawks on May 25. September 2022 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Earlier this week, Jackson revealed that requested a trade from the Ravens just days before the team attached the non-exclusive franchise tag to it.
The Ravens selected Jackson in the first round of 2018. NFL draft. He is one of the most talented athletes in the league, rushing for 4,437 yards during his five-year career.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 27, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
He has the second-best winning percentage among active quarterbacks, trailing only Patrick Mahomes.
Before entering the NFL, Jackson was a unanimous All-American at Louisville and won the Heisman Trophy in 2016.
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Former Patriots owner Robert Kraft recently revealed that the rapper Meek Mill texted him message urging him to sign Jackson.
The main stumbling block for either team interested in Jackson seems to revolve around the amount of guaranteed money the quarterback is after. Jackson has not retained an agent and is representing himself in negotiations.