Could the Lamar Jackson Era in Baltimore Be Nearing Its End?
The Baltimore Ravens are staring down a crossroads - and it’s not just about the playoffs. After a frustrating 2025 campaign that’s been marred by injuries and inconsistency, there’s growing chatter that the team could be heading for a seismic shift at the most important position on the field: quarterback.
Lamar Jackson, the face of the franchise for the past eight seasons, is once again at the center of the conversation. The Ravens’ 28-24 home loss to the New England Patriots didn’t just put a dent in their already slim playoff hopes - it may have marked the beginning of the end for Jackson’s tenure in Baltimore. He exited that game with a back injury, and his status for Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers remains uncertain.
It’s been that kind of season. Jackson missed three games earlier in the year with a hamstring injury, and even when he’s been on the field, this Ravens team hasn’t looked like the contenders we’ve come to expect under John Harbaugh. The offense has sputtered, the defense hasn’t been as dominant, and the overall chemistry just hasn’t clicked.
Now, according to reports, there may be more than just physical wear and tear at play. There’s talk that Harbaugh has grown weary of managing Jackson - despite publicly backing his quarterback after games. Behind the scenes, the relationship appears strained, and there’s speculation that the Ravens could explore trade options this offseason.
If that happens, two AFC teams reportedly top Jackson’s wish list: the Miami Dolphins and the Las Vegas Raiders. Miami makes sense on a few levels - Jackson is a South Florida native, and with Tua Tagovailoa no longer the starter, the door could be open. As for Vegas, there’s buzz that Tom Brady, now a minority owner of the Raiders, is a fan of Jackson’s game.
From a team-building standpoint, the Ravens would likely command a hefty return in any deal - think multiple first-round picks. That kind of draft capital could give Baltimore the flexibility to reset, possibly by selecting a young quarterback early and rebuilding around a rookie contract.
It’s a strategy we’ve seen work elsewhere, most notably with the Detroit Lions when they moved on from Matthew Stafford. That deal helped both sides - Stafford got a ring, and the Lions retooled into a contender.
Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time Jackson and the Ravens have been at odds. Back in the 2023 offseason, Jackson requested a trade before eventually signing a five-year, $260 million extension.
But the issues that led to that rift haven’t completely gone away. The roster around him has thinned out, and the team is more than just a piece or two away from being a serious title threat again.
Jackson turns 29 in the new year. He’s still one of the most dynamic players in the league when healthy, but his injury history and massive contract complicate the Ravens’ long-term outlook.
Eight seasons, six playoff appearances, but only three postseason wins - and just one trip to the AFC Championship Game. That’s not the return you want when you’ve got a two-time MVP under center.
So here we are. The Ravens are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, their franchise quarterback is banged up again, and the future is anything but certain.
Whether it’s Miami, Las Vegas, or somewhere else, Jackson may soon be suiting up in a different uniform. And Baltimore?
They might be preparing to turn the page on one of the most electrifying eras in franchise history.