Sports
Falcons coach Arthur Smith admits team discussed the possibility of signing Lamar Jackson
Free agent quarterback Lamar Jackson continues searching for a spot to play, and the Atlanta Falcons have been linked to the quarterback for weeks.
Falcons proprietor Arthur Clean stated publicly the staff deliberate on sticking with QB Desmond Ridder for 2023 and wouldn’t pursue 2019 NFL MVP Jackson.
However throughout an look on “The Wealthy Eisen Present” Friday, head coach Arthur Smith recommended the group did have discussions about including Jackson to the roster.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball throughout the first half of a sport towards the Jacksonville Jaguars Nov. 27, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photograph/John Raoux)
“The whole lot that turns into obtainable across the league, if it may well enhance your roster, we talk about. That’s at each place, whether or not that’s the fifth nook or the backup gunner on a punt. We’re all the time going to look so as to add at each place,” Smith stated when requested if the Falcons had mentioned Jackson.
“These discussions occur all day, on daily basis. I perceive some gamers get extra consideration than others, however completely we did.”
EX-PATRIOTS STAR ASANTE SAMUEL ISSUES WARNING TO LAMAR JACKSON: ‘YOU DON’T WANT TO PLAY FOR BELICHICK’
After the discussions, the staff dominated out buying and selling for Jackson, in line with Clean and Smith.
Ridder, a 2022 third-round draft choose, accomplished 63.4% of his passes for 708 yards and two touchdowns in 4 video games final season. These numbers had been apparently sufficient for the Falcons to call him the beginning quarterback for 2023.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, proper, appears on as gamers are requested to vacate the sphere as a part of a safety timeout throughout the second half of a sport towards the Seattle Seahawks Sept. 25, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photograph/Ashley Landis)
Earlier this week, Jackson revealed he requested a commerce from the Ravens simply days earlier than the staff positioned the non-exclusive franchise tag on him.
The Ravens chosen Jackson within the first spherical of the 2018 NFL Draft. He is without doubt one of the most uniquely proficient athletes within the league, speeding for 4,437 yards throughout his five-year profession.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throughout a sport towards the Jacksonville Jaguars Nov. 27, 2022, at TIAA Financial institution Area in Jacksonville, Fla. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)
He has the second-best successful proportion amongst energetic quarterbacks, behind solely Patrick Mahomes.
Previous to coming into the NFL, Jackson was a unanimous All-American at Louisville and gained the Heisman Trophy in 2016.
Longtime Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft not too long ago revealed that rapper Meek Mill despatched him a textual content message urging him to signal Jackson.
The primary sticking level for any of the groups all for Jackson appears to revolve across the quantity of assured cash the quarterback is looking for. Jackson has not employed an agent and is representing himself in negotiations.