The Detroit Lions have been surrounded by rumors regarding who will be their starting quarterback for the 2023 season. Many people speculate that the Lions will draft a quarterback in this year’s draft to groom someone young with lots of room to grow behind an experienced quarterback like Jared Goff. Others assume that the Lions will include Goff in a package deal to receive their future quarterback. Some believe that the Lions will reach out into free agency to grab a seasoned quarterback like Jimmy Garoppolo or Derek Carr and find a place for Goff in a trade or possible release. However, most of these rumors were shot down by the front office before any of them could get out of hand.
All offseason and even during the season, there has been constant controversy with the Baltimore Ravens and former MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. In the last few days, it has been confirmed that Lamar Jackson has requested a trade out of the Baltimore organization. Jackson stated in a tweet that he requested a trade on March 2. It should be noted that the Ravens did reach out to Lamar before the 2022 season began with a very favorable contract. The contract consisted of a fully guaranteed 3-year, $133 million deal. If he had taken this contract, it would have boosted him to one of the highest-paid players in the NFL.
But it wasn’t enough for Jackson. According to an Ian Rapoport statement, Jackson is seeking a contract that would give him about $50 million a year.
Since the official release of Jackson’s trade request, news and rumors have been buzzing around the Lions and Lamar Jackson. Many sources and credible NFL pages have put the Lions as one of the leading contenders for a Jackson acquisition. However, in a press conference with Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, a reporter asked him about the possibility of a Jackson trade. Campbell immediately dismissed any possibility of this. During the entire questioning of this subject, Campbell only spoke positively about Goff and reiterated his previous statements about how Goff is a great quarterback with a great set of talents.
After interviews and leaked information around this subject has surfaced, it is pretty clear that the Lions have no intention of trading for Jackson. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the Lions will not attempt to acquire Jackson, and Jared Goff will be the starter for the 2023 season.
