Sep 25, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick hugs Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after a game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots
BALTIMORE — Did the Patriots have a legitimate chance to acquire Lamar Jackson?
Rewind to the 2023 offseason, before the Ravens quarterback signed his five-year, $260 million contract extension with Baltimore.
Owner Robert Kraft disclosed that his friend, rapper Meek Mill, reached out to him regarding Jackson’s apparent interest in New England.
Kraft’s answer at the time was: “That’s a Bill [Belichick] decision.”
So what was Belichick’s decision?
Ahead of the Patriots’ season finale against the Jets, he was asked Tuesday about the offseason Jackson rumors.
“But look, in Lamar’s case … there was a lot of, I would say there would have been a lot of moving parts on that one, anyway,” Belichick said on “The Greg Hill Show.”
“I’ll discuss the players that are on the team, not the ones that aren’t on it. There’s a lot of players out there that were available, that are always available in the offseason.” Belichick expressed “We talked to some of the players, some of the agents and all that.”
Fast forward to 2024, The Patriots sit at an underwhelming 4-12 record bouncing between quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe as Lamar Jackson remains the current favorite to win his second league MVP.
No one will ever know the answer to how close the Patriots were to ever acquiring Jackson, but for our well being, let’s hope they weren’t.
