Could Lamar Jackson Be Vegas-Bound? Here's Why the Raiders Are Emerging as a Potential Trade Destination
The Lamar Jackson conversation is heating up again - and this time, the Las Vegas Raiders are being floated as a legitimate landing spot for the former MVP.
Let’s start with the situation in Baltimore. The Ravens are staring down the barrel of a season that could end as early as Week 17.
If they lose - or if the rival Steelers win - Baltimore’s playoff hopes are officially dead. That’s not the kind of December anyone in the organization envisioned when the season began with Super Bowl aspirations.
Now, the franchise finds itself at a crossroads with its franchise quarterback. Jackson is set to carry a massive cap hit of $74.5 million in each of the next two seasons.
That number isn’t just eye-popping - it’s a serious roadblock for a team trying to stay competitive in a tight AFC. The Ravens have a few options: they can restructure Jackson’s deal with an extension to spread out the cap hit, but that could mean shelling out upwards of $60 million per year.
That’s a steep price, especially after another year that may end without a playoff run.
If Baltimore decides not to double down, a trade becomes a real possibility. But this isn’t your standard blockbuster - Jackson holds a no-trade clause, which means he has the final say on where he goes.
Enter the Raiders.
According to reports, Las Vegas is one of the teams Jackson would consider if he were to waive his no-trade clause. The Miami Dolphins are also on his radar, especially with their quarterback situation in flux. But Vegas is intriguing - and not just because of the bright lights and tax-friendly Nevada weather.
There’s a Tom Brady wrinkle here, too. The Raiders' minority owner has reportedly shown admiration for Jackson.
And while Brady may not be calling the shots in the front office, his influence within the organization isn’t nothing. If he’s a fan of Jackson’s game - and who wouldn’t be? - that could play a role in pushing the Raiders toward making a move.
But let’s talk cost. Acquiring Lamar Jackson isn’t going to be cheap.
We’re likely talking about a package that starts with two - maybe even three - first-round picks. That’s a massive haul, and it’s the kind of move that can reshape a franchise... for better or worse.
For the Raiders, the calculus is complicated. Giving up that kind of draft capital would make it harder to build out the rest of the roster, especially for a team that still has holes to fill.
But there’s a counterpoint here: Las Vegas is probably using one of those first-round picks on a quarterback anyway. So if you’re going to spend premium draft capital on a passer, why not spend it on a proven one - a former MVP who still has elite tools?
And here’s where things get even more interesting: cap space. The Raiders are projected to have around $104.9 million to play with this coming offseason.
That’s a war chest. If they were to land Jackson, they’d have the financial flexibility to build around him quickly - think offensive line reinforcements, a top-tier receiver, or even bolstering the defense.
This isn’t just about splashy headlines. This is about identity.
The Raiders have been stuck in neutral for years, cycling through quarterbacks and coaches while trying to recapture the edge that once defined the franchise. A move for Jackson would be bold.
It would be risky. But it would also signal a clear shift: Las Vegas is ready to go all-in.
Whether the Ravens are truly ready to part ways with Jackson is still unclear. But if they are, the Raiders have the assets, the cap space, and possibly even the quarterback’s interest.
And if you’re Las Vegas - a team hungry for relevance and in need of a franchise cornerstone - this might just be the kind of swing worth taking.