Pete Carroll on considering Lamar Jackson: ‘We couldn’t afford him’
The Seattle Seahawks are happy to have successfully re-signed quarterback Geno Smith this offseason, as well as bringing back Drew Lock. It avoids needless quarterback controversy, something the Baltimore Ravens are currently mired in.
Speaking of the Ravens and their quarterback situation, it seems former League MVP Lamar Jackson is available for the taking as he requested a trade earlier in March. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was asked if the team might have considered Jackson in Seattle, a move that would have surely been an “all-in” caliber decision.
Question: You’ve signed a couple quarterbacks with Geno Smith and Drew Lock, but was Lamar Jackson ever considered an option for you guys?
Pete: “I couldn’t imagine he would be available. And we couldn’t afford him.”
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) March 28, 2023
“Couldn’t afford him” is the operative sentence here. Jackson is a beyond talented playmaker in the NFL, but acquiring his services is going to come at a premium. Jackson is reportedly looking for a fully-guaranteed contract like the one the Cleveland Browns gave to Deshaun Watson, which is five-years and worth $230 million.
Aside from being tied financially to Jackson – a player who is starting to show a concerning injury history – Seattle would have had to surrender two first round picks to get him, as Baltimore gave Jackson a non-exclusive franchise tag.
