The Baltimore Ravens are approaching a crossroads that would have been unthinkable just weeks ago. With their playoff hopes fading heading into Week 17, league observers are beginning to ask a question that once sounded absurd: could the Ravens actually consider trading Lamar Jackson?
In a Wednesday column for The Baltimore Sun, longtime Ravens columnist Mike Preston reported that Jackson has “already become a central figure in possible trade talks,” suggesting that Baltimore may need to consider a drastic reset if the franchise continues to stall in January.
Jackson’s 2025 season has been uneven and injury-interrupted. The two-time NFL MVP left Sunday night’s loss to the New England Patriots early and watched from the sideline as Baltimore fell 28–24 in a game that significantly damaged its postseason outlook. It was the latest setback in a year that has seen Jackson miss time at multiple points.
Preston believes the Ravens may need to explore the market while Jackson’s value remains elite.
“The Ravens should look at possible trades, which could net them two or three first-round picks,” Preston wrote. “Jackson would love to play in Miami, where quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is no longer the starter, or possibly Las Vegas, where (Tom) Brady, a partial owner of the Raiders, has shown a fondness for him. Baltimore should also draft a young quarterback in the early rounds.”
The Dolphins and Raiders were identified as potential landing spots due to fit, familiarity, and organizational direction. Jackson, a Florida native from Pompano Beach, has long been linked to Miami in league speculation, while Brady’s admiration for Jackson has been documented in past public comments.
For the Dolphins in particular, they would have to likely have to use Tua Tagovailoa to cover most of Jackson salary as well as including this season’s top-10 NFL Draft pick and 2027 first-round pick to even potentially convince the Ravens to consider the move.
Still, there is no public indication that Baltimore has actively made Jackson available. The Ravens signed him to a five-year, $260 million contract prior to the 2023 season after a lengthy and public standoff. According to Spotrac, Jackson is owed $51.25 million in both 2026 and 2027 and carries a full no-trade clause.
On the field, Jackson’s résumé remains elite. Since entering the league in 2018, he has appeared in 115 games, totaling 22,370 passing yards, 6,513 rushing yards, and 219 total touchdowns. However, postseason success has lagged behind regular-season dominance. Baltimore has reached the AFC Championship Game just once during his tenure.
In 12 games this season, Jackson has completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 2,311 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while adding 340 rushing yards and two scores.
For now, the idea of trading Lamar Jackson remains speculative, but no longer impossible. With injuries mounting, playoff success elusive, and the franchise at a potential inflection point, the Ravens may soon be forced to decide whether doubling down on their superstar quarterback is still the clearest path forward or whether a shocking reset is on the table.