Wanna Bet That Lamar Jackson Plays For the Colts in 2023?
Will former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson be back in Baltimore next season?
It’s starting to seem unlikely. The 26-year-old quarterback didn’t receive the massive contract that he wanted from the Ravens, and now the dual-threat QB is pitching his services to other teams.
He’s also representing himself in negotiations which is unusual.
Baltimore slapped Jackson with the nonexclusive tag which means, according to a report from ESPN: “Unlike with the exclusive franchise tag, the nonexclusive tag allows Jackson to negotiate a contract with other teams, and the Ravens would have five days to either match the deal or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.”
Two first-rounders are a lot to give up but, again, Jackson is just 26.
On the other hand, he’s missed 15 games over the past two seasons due to injuries.
So, which QB-starved franchise is willing to pay that price to land Lamar?
Well, our good friends at PointsBet, one of the great gambling sites in the U.S., along with BetMGM and more, have odds as to where Jackson will be playing this season.
Here they are (Note: All bets are voided if Jackson returns to the Ravens):
Lamar Jackson's Next Team
Indianapolis Colts +200
New England Patriots +300
Tennessee Titans +700
Washington Commanders +800
Detroit Lions +800
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1000
Green Bay Packers +1000
Atlanta Falcons +1200
Carolina Panthers +1600
Houston Texans +1600
Miami Dolphins +1600
San Francisco 49ers +2000
New York Jets +3000
The Colts do make the most sense.
They’ve had quarterback issues ever since Andrew Luck retired and team owner Jim Irsay could absolutely resolve that this year.
The Colts own the fourth overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft (April 27-29), but the top two QB prospects, C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young, both will be off the board by then.
Indy was thought to be the most likely team to trade up to either No. 1 (Bears) or No. 2 (Houston), but the Carolina Panthers beat them to the punch by offering Chicago a ransom to obtain the first overall pick.
Unless the Colts are in love with former Florida QB Anthony Richardson – as many teams are – then going all-in for Jackson might be the best way to move forward and make Indy relevant again in the quarterback-rich AFC.
The fact that Jackson wants a fully guaranteed contract could prove problematic and many teams already have declared they’re out of the running for Jackson’s services.
But Irsay is a gamblin’ man and he wants to make a splash this offseason.
Since I’m not buying that the Patriots have given up on their QB Mac Jones, who’s entering his third year following a rough sophomore season, Indianapolis is the choice.
It’s a huge risk but one I’m willing to bet the Colts take.
