Would The Ravens Swap Lamar Jackson For Justin Fields?
It’s looking more and more likely that Lamar Jackson has played his final game for the Baltimore Ravens. The problem is when Jackson leaves, who’s going to play quarterback? What if the answer to that question is Justin Fields?
Nick Wright made an appearance on The Herd and proposed the idea of the Ravens and Bears swapping Jackson for Fields.
This just might be the smartest thing Nick Wright has ever said. Ryan Poles has stated that the Bears are committed to building this thing around Fields. We also know that he’s a liar. Poles told Roquan Smith that he wasn’t trading him. We know what happened there. Maybe history will sort of repeat itself.
You see, the Bears and Ravens just made a trade not that long ago. If either team is going to make a swap of this magnitude, they often like doing so with a team in the opposite conference. Keeping Jackson in the NFC would limit the number of times Baltimore would face him in the future. Something that I’m sure they would prefer. Of course, since they have made a trade not too long ago, there is obviously a working relationship there.
The Bears have cap space and they should try to use it. According to overthecap.com, Chicago essentially laps the rest of the league in cap space. Chicago would have no issue giving Lamar the contract that he desires. They have plenty of money to pursue the upgrades to build around him too.
For Baltimore, you’re accomplishing exactly what’s needed. In adding Fields, they’re adding another mobile quarterback that could execute that run style offense. Fields is also entering his third NFL season so the Ravens wouldn’t have to worry about paying him in the near future. The Ravens still need to upgrade the receiver unit but they have more freedom to add without the impending Lamar contract on their books.
Lamar is expected to have a lot of suitors. If you’re the Ravens, why stop at just a pure swap? Ryan Poles is the same guy who decided it was a good idea to swap Roquan Smith for Chase Claypool while moving down in the draft to do so. Poles isn’t exactly a bright guy… Given the fact that Lamar is “the more established” product, could the Ravens seek further compensation?
Bears acquire: Lamar Jackson, pick 23
Ravens acquire: Justin Fields, pick 1, pick 65, and 2024, 2025 first round pick swap if applicable
If the Bears believe Lamar Jackson is an elite quarterback (would be foolish but someone is going to bite the bullet) they shouldn’t care about the pick swaps. Maybe two is aggressive but the point still stands. If you’re Baltimore, this HAS to be an avenue you explore. Given what Houston gave up for Deshaun Watson, I’m not sure this trade package is totally unrealistic. Sure, pick one might be off the table but it has to be what you ask for in a swap. How good would Jalen Carter look in a Ravens uniform? Isn’t that the whole point of trading Lamar? To upgrade the roster elsewhere?
I love the idea of a Lamar Jackson for Justin Fields swap. I’m just not sure it’s enough for Baltimore given the demand Jackson could have. The Jets, Falcons, and Colts are other potential suitors.
