There are several reasons why Mack Jones is more marketable than Lamar Jackson.
Even though Lamar Jackson is an extremely talented quarterback, it’s completely understandable why Mack Jones seems to have a stronger trade market on him at this point.
While Baltimore Ravens Since the quarterback wants out, the The New England Patriots A rookie is coming off a secondary slump. The self-proclaimed Jackson goes the wrong way from the jump, McEnroe Jones’s tone doesn’t quite sit well with the stubborn Bill Belichick whose game he’s coached by offensive imbeciles.
Jones didn’t win the Heisman Trophy in college, but former teammate Devonta Smith was the running back at Alabama. He also backed the Crimson Tide to its most recent national title. The Nick Saban era has seen plenty of talented quarterbacks come through Tuscaloosa recently, but you can’t argue that no one has had more talent than Jones.
Let’s reveal the great philosophical mystery of why Jones always has a big market.
Why would NFL teams want to trade Lamar Jackson for Mack Jones?
It’s very simple, really. It boils down to three things: contract, playing style and injury history. Jones is entering his third year in the league out of Alabama, while Jackson is approaching 6 years out of Louisville. The former has two more years left on his rookie deal, as well as that sweet fifth-year option. Jackson exhausted all those options, so here we are!
In style of play, Jones can fit into a pro-style passing attack more easily than Jackson. While Jackson’s mobility is a big part of his game, it requires the receiver to isolate and also have the right offensive mind to work for him. Until Greg Roman didn’t, he did admirably for the Ravens. Jones’ pocket passing ability translates simply.
As for the injury history, I mean, they both have a few, but again, Jones’ style of play is much more aesthetic than Jackson’s. While a lack of athleticism could derail Jones in his mid-30s, there’s no guarantee the more mobile Jackson will still be in the league. He’s a really impressive talent, but his shelf life on the wheel is nowhere near what Jones has.
So instead of giving up two first-round picks and giving Baltimore your best offer in the five-day window, it’s no wonder teams aren’t interested in trading for the special-tagged Jackson. Not to say it wouldn’t be an easy trade for Jones, but there’s no way it would be as difficult as a trade for Jackson at this level of the game.
As a hypothetical, let’s say Kyle Shanahan was very interested in around 3 (damn burgers, hella fries). If he had stuck to his guns, the San Francisco 49ers might have drafted Jones No. 3 out of Alabama if general manager John Lynch hadn’t convinced him that Tre Lance wasn’t Carson Wentz’s latest model. Lance may be more popular, but still not confirmed.
So what the 49ers could have in Jones is a healthy and perhaps even better version of Brock Purdy running their offense. That would have been perfect for them, but the 49ers are taking a gamble on a roster build on the rig. let’s see. If they want to trade for Jackson, the 49ers will have to completely overhaul how they do things offensively.
In short, moving Jones isn’t a joyless stick of trying to get someone to bite on Jackson’s franchise tag contract. It’s more plug-and-play and in line with what the NFL has historically done on offense. And while he may never reach Jackson’s heights, it’s not like he’s played in a conference championship game before. Plus, Jones can play until he’s 40 or older.
When we consider all these factors, it makes a lot of sense why Jones has such a large trade market.