Lamar Jackson Goes Public With Trade Request During John Harbaugh Press Conference
By Liam McKeone
The top got blown off the Lamar Jackson situation on Monday morning as the MVP quarterback went public in his request for a trade. During a lengthy Twitter thread, Jackson explained that he asked the Baltimore Ravens to trade him on March 2 after it became clear they were not interested in "meeting his value." He added on a few more tweets about how he much he appreciates his fan and all that but it was obvious the motivation to post those tweets was to put public pressure on the organization.
A letter to my Fans
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 27, 2023
I want to first thank you all for all of the love and support you consistently show towards me. All of you are amazing and I appreciate y’all so much. I want you all to know not to believe everything you read about me. Let me personally answer your questions
in regards to my future plans. As of March 2nd I requested a trade from the Ravens organization for which the Ravens has not been interested in meeting my value, any and everyone that’s has met me or been around me know I love the game of football and my dream is to help a team
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 27, 2023
win the super bowl. You all are great but I had to make a business decision that was best for my family and I. No matter how far I go or where my career takes me, I’ll continue to be close to my fans of Baltimore Flock nation and the entire State of Maryland. You’ll See me again
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 27, 2023
Truzzzzz.
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 27, 2023
Let’s stay connected subscribe to my Fanpage: https://t.co/vV16N63zLM
This is just the latest step in Jackson's quest to seize public control of the narrative surrounding his negotiations. That is obvious when reading it and even more so when you take into account that Jackson chose to tweet this right as Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was taking questions from reporters at the NFL owners' meetings in Arizona.
Lamar Jackson’s announcement came at the exact time that Ravens’ coach John Harbaugh was set to speak to reporters at the league’s annual meeting.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 27, 2023
John Harbaugh’s table at the league meetings after Lamar Jackson’s tweet: pic.twitter.com/2QM8wrl3vp
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 27, 2023
Harbaugh handled it as well as possible, telling the media he had not seen the tweets and continued to insist that he's looking forward to Jackson starting under center when next season begins.
“I’m getting ready for Lamar. … When Lamar gets back on this train, it’s moving full speed.”#Ravens coach John Harbaugh, on his QB requesting a trade.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 27, 2023
“We love him.”
A devious move by Jackson. Assuming it was intentional. Hard to think otherwise considering the actual trade request is three weeks old.
Will it change anything? Probably not. But it confirms what we all thought to be true-- things between Jackson and the Ravens are not well and a lot needs to change in the next three months if Baltimore wants to see their MVP quarterback in their uniforms again.