Might the Las Vegas Raiders consider trading for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson? It’d certainly be a Mark Davis-type swing.
The idea of Jackson joining the Raiders is gaining traction because it aligns with a well-known pattern: an elite quarterback, public uncertainty, and a Las Vegas franchise that has long struggled to find stability at the quarterback position.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported this week that multiple evaluators used their “bold prediction” to link Jackson to the Raiders, even while Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti reiterated he wants a contract extension done by March. This is the dynamic at play. Baltimore knows life with a two-time MVP is better than life without. Las Vegas understands that quarterback purgatory is a gradual decline—it’s been in that state long before Derek Carr’s exit.
Does it make sense for the Raiders to go after Lamar Jackson?
If you’re looking for a clean football argument, it exists. Jackson is the kind of player who changes the math on Sundays. He erases bad downs, punishes conservative defenses, and creates offense when the play breaks. Acquiring a quarterback who already performs at an MVP level is the fastest way for the Raiders to break their cycle.
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This is where the discussion needs to get sharper, not louder. A trade for Jackson would force an organizational reset—cap structure, roster timeline and draft capital. The cost would be massive, and the judgment would start immediately. It would also require full buy-in, because Fowler’s point matters: not everyone in Las Vegas may support it.
The real test for Davis lies not in his ability to generate headlines, but in his ability to foster consensus around a decision that is both high-risk and high-reward and then provide the necessary infrastructure to support it. Thus far, he’s been unsuccessful with the latter.
If Baltimore keeps Jackson, the rumor dies. If it doesn’t, the Raiders will have to decide whether they want another plan—or a final answer.
Raider Nation, If Jackson truly becomes available, should the Raiders trade premium draft capital to acquire him—even if it means sacrificing roster depth and cap flexibility?
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