While Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has said he’s staying in Baltimore, the team gave him a reason to leave.
On Thursday night, the team traded one of their last receivers from 2021 for a 2022 draft pick.
That player was Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.
While the Ravens used the pick to draft Tyler Linderbaum, a much needed center, they did so at a high price.
Now the Ravens are without a wide receiver with 1,000 yards, leaving Lamar with young players at receiver.
However, the Ravens knew Jackson needed protection in 2022.
The price for protecting him might be too high.
Jackson made a Twitter comment the night of the trade signaling his feelings with Baltimore management.
Wtf
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) April 29, 2022
The move now only leaves him with one proven weapon on offense.
Tight End Mark Andrews Is the Only Proven Weapon In Baltimore
When a tight end has the most receiving yards on the team, that spells trouble for the roster.
Mark Andrews was the top receiver in yards for Baltimore with 1,361 yards in 2021.
It’s 353 yards more than Brown had in 2021 and 846 yards more than Rashod Bateman had.
Bateman was the third-ranking receiver in Baltimore’s passing game last season.
With the Brown trade, he now becomes the number one wide receiver on the roster.
However, Andrews still appears as a leading candidate in the passing game for 2022.
But Jackson needs more than just Andrews to help him improve this season.
While Baltimore is placing faith that Bateman improves with more playing time, it might not happen.
Bateman Only Had One Good Year In College Before Being Drafted 27th Overall In 2021
Examining Bateman’s college stats, you find his best season was his sophomore year.
He finished the 2019 year with 1,219 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
However, he missed games in 2020, in part from a groin injury and opting out of playing because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
While he said opting-out allowed him to focus on the NFL Draft, he hasn’t shined in Baltimore.
Without Brown, he may see more targets.
However, it could be from another quarterback if Jackson leaves in 2023.
Jackson’s disgust with losing Brown might foreshadow any chances Bateman could have in 2022.
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) April 29, 2022
It also might ultimately force him to part ways with Baltimore.
Baltimore Trading Jackson Weapon Away Might Push Him Away
The first two nights of the 2022 NFL Draft saw Baltimore mostly picking defensive players, leaving Jackson without weapons.
While the team used one pick to help Jackson, they did so by sending away his top wide receiver.
Without Brown and Sammy Watkins, he has fewer proven players to pass to in 2022.
Not only can that hurt his production, but it also pushes him away from the team.
If he feels he can’t accomplish what he’s capable of as an NFL quarterback, he might rethink his decision to stay.
However, if Jackson is as good as he thinks, he can work with the young receiver core in Baltimore.
But with young talent comes mistakes, something Baltimore and Jackson can’t afford in 2022.
If Jackson stays, it could be rough for both him and Baltimore in 2022.
NEXT: Marquise Brown Comments On Why He Wanted Out Of Baltimore