4 pros and cons to the Carolina Panthers trading for Lamar Jackson
By Dean Jones
What are some pros and cons behind the Carolina Panthers launching a daring trade to acquire quarterback Lamar Jackson in 2023?
Even though the Baltimore Ravens will do everything in their power to keep Lamar Jackson, there are growing murmurings that they might be willing to accept a bombshell offer for the quarterback. Something that should put the Carolina Panthers and others around the league on red alert.
Jackson’s ongoing contract dispute remains the biggest stumbling block. The former NFL MVP is reportedly looking for around $230 million guaranteed, which the Ravens appear reluctant to shell out based on how negotiations have gone so far.
The Panthers have a desperate need to improve their quarterback options. Only Matt Corral represents a legitimate starting option currently, so it’ll be interesting to see which way Carolina goes during their first season with Frank Reich as head coach.
With that being said, here are four pros and cons behind the Panthers risking it all for Jackson in the coming months.
Pro No. 1
Carolina Panthers would get an instant difference-maker
Players with Lamar Jackson’s attributes don’t become available too often. The only recent example is Deshaun Watson, who the Carolina Panthers coveted heavily despite the obvious cloud hanging over him.
The risk would be high, obviously. But if Jackson can remain healthy, this provides the Panthers with an instant difference-maker capable of dragging them out of irrelevancy and into the national media spotlight.
And this is the sort of big splash David Tepper has wanted to make since buying the team from Jerry Richardson.