The Washington Commanders seem to be the perfect landing spot for Lamar Jackson or one of many. But they were inexplicably quick to deny themselves a chance at the former MVP. Even though the Baltimore Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on the 26-year-old Jackson. Even though the Commanders could sign Jackson to an offer sheet and would only part with two first-round picks, they’re more than OK heading into the 2023 NFL season with either Sam Howell or Jacoby Brissett.
Head coach Ron Rivera referred to Jackson as a “tremendous talent” but added that the Commanders never pursued him because they didn’t feel it was the right direction for the team. Rivera didn’t expound on that answer, leaving the rest up for speculation.
That’s why ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter pressed team president Jason Wright on why his organization has been steadfast on not pursuing Jackson as a free agent during a recent appearance on “The Adam Schefter Podcast.” Before answering Schefter’s question, Wright maintained that he was only “peripherally involved with football.”
“I think Lamar is an amazing talent,” Wright said. “He’s an amazing talent. I think nobody in their right mind does not examine it or explore it in some way, shape or form because the man is a dynamic, generational talent. And I also — as a former player — and I haven’t lost my NFLPA mindset to this degree, I’ll never fault a player for trying to get their bag… It’s great for anybody in any industry to try to hold out for your worth. I’ll never knock anybody for that.
“That said, I’ll give a very bland answer to this and that’s that our guys have a strategy. They’re bought in and committed to that strategy. If that strategy included that sort of move at the quarterback position, they would do it. But, you got to adhere to your strategy, even when there are enticing other decisions that you could make. And so, I have full trust in Ron (Rivera) and them that they’re leading us in the right direction. And if that means we don’t get Lamar, that’s the right thing to do because I’ll trust that process.”
We’ll have to see how Howell and Brissett fare for Washington in 2023. But it’s fair to say that Jackson would make the Commanders automatic Super Bowl contenders, process or not.
