The first night of the 2022 NFL Draft was an interesting evening for the Baltimore Ravens. And their starting quarterback.
After drafting Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton at No. 14, the Ravens acquired the No. 23 overall pick from the Arizona Cardinals, trading the No. 100 overall pick as well as receiver Marquise Brown.
It was exciting news for Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, who played with Brown at Oklahoma.
Let’s run it back! Hollywood to the desert… Y’all welcome my boy! @Primetime_jet 🔥🥋🚀
— Kyler Murray (@K1) April 29, 2022
Brown’s former quarterback, Lamar Jackson, did not seem as thrilled by the development. The 2020 NFL MVP retweeted a very spicy tweet from a fan in response to the deal, which read “WHAT THE F—ING F— BRO! WE TRADED AWAY HOLLYWOOD.”
Jackson also quote-tweeted Brown’s message to him, which read “Wish I coulda played with my brotha forever but ima see you at the top.” Jackson replied with two crossed-finger emojis.
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) April 29, 2022
Wtf
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) April 29, 2022
The timing of Jackson’s tweets coincided with the Ravens selecting Iowa offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum with the 25th overall pick, which led to some confusion over why he was mad. Jackson would clarify that his frustrations were not around that pick.
It’s not about my new center🙄 stop that bs https://t.co/meRpOw4zD0
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) April 29, 2022
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) April 29, 2022
All of this comes a month after Jackson had strongly shot down the notion of the Ravens trading Brown when one reporter discussed it.
Excuse my French real quick sir…. But HELL NAW❗️ https://t.co/uf1KyvaB8R
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 23, 2022
It’s obvious why Jackson didn’t want to see Brown leave as he’s been his top wideout for the last several years since being drafted, hauling in 195 passes for 2,361 yards and 21 touchdowns. However, it’s worth noting that Brown himself requested the trade, saying “it was just something I had to think about for myself.”
Still, the fact that Jackson had to watch his favorite target leave and has been pretty public in his annoyance over it does not bode well for the relationship between him and the franchise. And plenty of people had some strong reactions to the tweets and what it means moving forward.
Lamar Jackson and Marquise Brown weren’t just teammates. They were brothers. True South Floridians though and through. Never seen a bond like they had on and off the field. I know that trade hurt in more ways than just football.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 29, 2022
Uhhhhh uh oh https://t.co/SMaCUNAen6
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) April 29, 2022
Going well 👍🏽 https://t.co/HbKMvh7w3h
— Gabe Fernandez, it’s so hold over (@thelatinochild) April 29, 2022
When your going to be running the single wing https://t.co/0sCpVMaYLA
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) April 29, 2022
If I'm Lamar Jackson I am not signing a contract in Baltimore.
In five years they have done an absolute pitiful job with coordinators/pass catchers to get the most out of him as a passer. https://t.co/VUxL3Suwgk
— Tweets by Sneaky Joe (@SneakyJoeSports) April 29, 2022
We’ll see what the fallout is between the Ravens and Jackson and what the 2022 NFL season will look like for them. Meanwhile, the Cardinals may have done a lot to make their QB very happy.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.