Lamar Jackson To Be Ravens Quarterback For The Foreseeable Future

TheSportster

By Thomas Hall

Published Dec 18, 2018

It looks like the Ravens have their quarterback for the foreseeable future in Lamar Jackson, here's what we know.

The Baltimore Ravens have confirmed that quarterback, Lamar Jackson, will be their starting quarterback going forward.

Before this past Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Ravens announced that Jackson will be their starting quarterback going forward over Joe Flacco. Flacco hasn't played in a game since Week 9 due to injury.

But because of the performance of Jackson over the last four games and now including this past game, the Ravens have made the decision to move on from Flacco. Now, the Ravens are apparently looking to move the 33-year-old via trade.

Flacco has three years remaining on his contract following this season. His contract won't come cheap either. Regardless of if they release him or trade him, the Ravens will be stuck with a dead cap of $16 million for the 2019 season.

Regardless of how the Ravens handle or release Flacco, he won't be apart of their roster come next season. They will then continue with Jackson as their starting quarterback for the foreseeable future.

In the five games that Jackson started in, his record is 4-1 with that lone loss coming against the AFC leading Kansas City Chiefs. He has also appeared in 14 games this season and has produced 818 passing yards along with five passes completed for touchdowns.

While those passing numbers don't stand out much, his rushing ones do. In those five starts, he has recorded 427 yards along with two touchdowns. Jackson's style of play is very different to Flacco's, but all that matters is winning to the Ravens.

The Ravens currently hold the second Wild Card, sitting just half a game back of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the lead in the AFC North division. They also have just two remaining games against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Cleveland Browns.

Their upcoming game against the Chargers will prove to be a big test for Jackson. If the Ravens defense can limit the Chargers' offense to under 20 points, then that should give Jackson a very good chance at winning this game on the road.

Regardless of whether or not the Ravens hold onto their spot and make the playoffs, Flacco's time as a Raven will end at the conclusion of this season.

What This Means

The Ravens have liked what they have seen out of Jackson over the last stretch of games that he has started. Which is why they are choosing to eat $16 million of Flacco's contract next season.

This decision appears to be the right one for the Ravens to make. They're 4-1 with Jackson under-center, and he is improving every time he's out on the field. This game against the Chargers will be a perfect time to show everyone around the league who he is when they play this Saturday night during prime time.