Why Lamar Jackson to Miami only works under perfect conditions
· Yahoo Sports
MIAMI GARDENS ― If Lamar Jackson is willing to demand a trade and say he'll play only for the Miami Dolphins, they should, of course, listen.
Jackson has one year left on his Baltimore Ravens deal, with a no-trade clause.
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If Lamar Jackson is willing to take less ― ala old-school Tom Brady ― to sign a longer-term deal with his hometown Miami Dolphins, they should, of course, listen.
Does Lamar Jackson want $63 million or more annually to play for Miami?
Considering the state of Miami's rebuild and salary cap situation, they would have to pass.
But what if Lamar Jackson were to say he will only play for the Dolphins and is willing to sign a new 5- or 6-year deal worth about $50 million per season? To help Miami general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan build a championship-caliber roster around him?
The Dolphins would have to listen.
Lamar Jackson trade to Miami Dolphins seems unlikely, but...
It is true Jackson has had injury woes in recent seasons.
It's also true he is still only 29 years old.
It is true Jackson may not be quite the running threat moving forward.
It's also true he'll always be an exceptional athlete.
And it's also true he would be the best quarterback in Dolphins history, short of Dan Marino.
Jackson is from Pompano Beach in Broward County and played high school football at Boynton Beach in Palm Beach County.
This is a unique opportunity. And folks like analyst and former NFL star Michael Irvin and Fox Sports analyst Nick Wright are already talking about Jackson and the Dolphins as a possible match, for legitimate reasons.
"Lamar in Baltimore is an NFL superstar," Irvin said on First Take. "Lamar in Miami is an international icon.”
“I think Lamar Jackson is the Week 1 starting quarterback next year for the Miami Dolphins," Wright predicted on "The Herd."
It appears the relationship between the Ravens and Jackson may be headed toward an exit ramp.
The Dolphins could use Jackson for a few reasons. Yes, he would stir immediate fan excitement and garner national interest. Those empty seats must pain Dolphins management.
But mostly it must be considered because Jackson is a winner. When on the field, he leads his team to wins.
Jackson is a two-time NFL MVP. Any possibility to add him to your roster cannot be summarily dismissed.
It may be most prudent for the Dolphins to simply wait for Jackson to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2027 season. This actually aligns with a plan to stick with Malik Willis for at least two, while weighing NFL Draft options.
Willis has not accomplished what Jackson has. It's also true he is mobile and athletic and younger (granted, only two years younger) and may have a ceiling worth continuing to explore.
Miami Dolphins roster-building could take jump with Lamar Jackson addition
A methodical approach by the Dolphins that does not include adding Jackson still seems most likely. Adding a quality rookie quarterback starter on a rookie contract is always the most appealing scenario for a rebuilding NFL team.
Thus, Miami should not yield multiple first-round picks for Jackson. But if they were able to swing a deal for, say, one first-round pick, or two second-round picks and a fourth-round pick? Why not?
Why would the Ravens do that? Leverage and pressure.
It's on Jackson, if he wants the Dolphins badly enough, to say he'll never play another down again for the Ravens. It's on Jackson to say he'll only play for the Dolphins.
Could the Ravens call his bluff for awhile? Sure. But eventually, he would be traded.
The no-trade (and also no franchise-tag clause), as we've seen in the NBA and NHL, reduces Baltimore's leverage and could create a buying opportunity for Miami. It's one they would have to consider.
But only in the most perfect confluence of circumstances.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Threads and Instagram and X at @schadjoe
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Why Lamar Jackson to Miami only works under perfect conditions