Lamar Jackson dropped his trade request right after Ravens’ John Harbaugh endorsed him as starter
Lamar Jackson shared a bombshell Monday morning.
The superstar quarterback — currently embroiled in a strange contract duel with the Baltimore Ravens — revealed he had requested a trade from Baltimore on March 2nd. (Note: Just days later, the Ravens slapped a non-exclusive franchise tag on him.)
Jackson used the letter (er, tweet thread) to pour his heart out and may as well have been saying goodbye to the Ravens in a situation that can play out any number of unpredictable ways.
Anything seems possible here for a man that has the NFL warning all 32 teams about a fake agent while sharing sad Ben Affleck memes.
A letter to my Fans
I want to first thank you all for all of the love and support you consistently show towards me. All of you are amazing and I appreciate y’all so much. I want you all to know not to believe everything you read about me. Let me personally answer your questions
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 27, 2023
Those who are fond of comedic timing and awkward moments will enjoy the twist here: Jackson revealed his trade request right as John Harbaugh spoke at the annual NFL owners’ meetings.
Not only was Harbaugh forced to field questions about Jackson’s request, he had just finished endorsing him as Baltimore’s starting quarterback.
Oh, that is so tasty; I’m so full, I can’t stomach any more:
Lamar’s stance and the Ravens’ stance at exactly the same time pic.twitter.com/QpheJjDoMo
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 27, 2023
Lamar Jackson’s announcement came at the exact time that Ravens’ coach John Harbaugh was set to speak to reporters at the league’s annual meeting.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 27, 2023
Here’s Harbaugh trying to play the diplomat and downplay the Jackson situation in real-time:
Coach Harbaugh on Lamar Jackson: pic.twitter.com/5db148TdeA
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 27, 2023
Whichever way you lean in this player-team battle, you must admit this is unbelievably hilarious timing. If Jackson planned it like this, I have to give the move a chef’s kiss. What deliciously juicy drama.
NFL fans loved the awkward comedy of Jackson’s trade request (who they thought was behind the timing) coming at the same time as Harbaugh’s presser.