Baltimore will end speculation of Lamar joining the Atlanta Falcons

Without anything concrete, the Atlanta Falcons have continually been a rumored landing spot for Lamar Jackson this off-season. Whether it was the team’s ill-advised attempt to chase Deshaun Watson last off-season or the vast amount of cap space the reasoning behind the fit is odd.

Baltimore can tag Lamar and buy themselves time to work out a long-term deal with a player who has elevated the franchise back to serious playoff contention. The difference in Baltimore with and without Lamar is stunning even for a deep Baltimore roster.

The Ravens aren’t simply going to let a top-ten quarterback walk away. Even if the impossible happens and Jackson and the Ravens cannot find common ground in contract talks a bidding war for Jackson will ensue. One the Falcons would have to not only win but in turn be willing to give Lamar a record contract Baltimore was not.

Barring the completely illogical from the Ravens this move isn’t going to happen. The Falcons are better off putting their complete focus on building a complete team around Desmond Ridder and giving the second-year quarterback every chance to prove he is the future of the franchise.

Lamar leaving Baltimore would be shocking and is increasingly unlikely to happen. The quarterback is far too talented and impactful for the Ravens to simply let walk away without a clear answer behind him.

If Jackson is healthy for the playoffs I don’t believe there is any question the Ravens win their first playoff game and perhaps make an even deeper run.

From Baltimore’s perspective, why would you trade a franchise quarterback who is still under team control? Worst case scenario the Ravens franchise tag Lamar and are willing to attempt to make Lamar play on the tag until a contract can be agreed upon. Whatever the scenario it is hard to see one in which Baltimore lets Lamar walk away and even more difficult to believe if that happens Jackson is an Atlanta Falcon.