The Baltimore Ravens have been on the cusp of reaching the Super Bowl since Lamar Jackson took over as the team’s starting quarterback.
Last season, the former Heisman Trophy winner closed out the year with his second NFL Offensive MVP honor, joining a small group of quarterbacks to accomplish that feat.
Jackson joined a legendary list that includes Patrick Mahomes, Joe Montana, Kurt Warner and Steve Young as two-time MVP winners. Peyton Manning is the all-time leader with five MVPs, followed by Aaron Rodgers (four) and three-time winners Brady, Jim Brown, Brett Favre, and former Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas.
But no quarterback ever won two MVPs so young. Jackson did it in just six seasons as the Baltimore Ravens QB, and only three as a full-time starter who played the entire year.
Jackson threw 14 touchdown passes and just two interceptions during his final six regular games, leading the Baltimore Ravens to the AFC North title and a first-round bye. He finished the regular season with career highs in passing yards (3,678), completions (307), completion percentage (67.2), and average yards per completion (8) while throwing 24 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions.
While Jackson’s pocket presence and accuracy improved, he remained an electrifying runner who made would-be tacklers miss with regularity. Jackson led the Ravens and all NFL quarterbacks with 821 yards rushing, averaging 5.5 yards per carry while continuing to stress defenses with his arm and mobility. In November, Jackson became the fastest quarterback in league history to reach 5,000 yards rushing, achieving that milestone 22 games faster than Michael Vick.
There’s one thing that’s impossible to dispute. Jackson plays his best when he has dynamic weapons around him on offense. Last season, rookie WR Zay Flowers emerged as one of the top first-year wideouts in the league and he quickly became one of Jackson’s favorite targets. The first year NFL player became a key piece for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, hauling in 77 catches on his 108 targets in the regular season, while finishing the year with 858 yards and five touchdowns.
Odell Beckham Jr. may not have lived up to expectations but still created problems for opposing defenses. He finished the year with 565 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 14 games played, but he was a weapon defensive coordinators had to have a plan for on a weekly basis.
The tight end duo of Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely — who accounted for just under 1,000 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns during the 2023 regular season — will be back in 2024, along with Flowers.
But if Jackson is going to take the Ravens to a Super Bowl, they need a true dynamic WR opposite of Flowers to replace the void left by Beckham.
Baltimore Ravens Possible Trade Candidate For Courtland Sutton
Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton didn’t show up for voluntary workouts earlier this week and there has been speculation about his future with the team appearing to clean house and him entering the final year of his contract.
Last Word on Sport’s David Latham pegged the Ravens as one of the teams that may be a “possible trade destination,” for Sutton.
With the loss of Beckham, the Baltimore Ravens are thin at WR with Zay Flowers being the only true WR that Baltimore can count on. The Ravens plan to lean on the run game with the addition of Derrick Henry, but they need to give QB Lamar Jackson more weapons.
Latham wrote, “Lamar Jackson had two reliable receivers last year and won MVP honors, so a similar result could happen if the Ravens trade for Courtland Sutton.”
Jackson is coming off his second MVP season with a rookie Flowers and aging Beckham, so the possible addition of a touchdown threat in Sutton would only improve the Baltimore Ravens offense.
“With Flowers getting open inside and Mark Andrews dominating the seam, Sutton can provide a much-needed outside threat,” Latham wrote.
Latham believes, “Baltimore needs as many weapons as they can get if they want to take down Kansas City, and Sutton could be the missing piece to this puzzle.”
Why Would The Denver Broncos Trade Courtland Sutton To The Baltimore Ravens?
Sutton was drafted by the Broncos in the second round during the 2018 NFL draft and while he has shown flashes, as well as a Pro Bowl season, he has struggled to maintain consistent production.
Sutton is purportedly looking for a new contract this offseason. However, with a rebuilding Broncos team, that already shipped out QB Russell Wilson and fellow WR Jerry Jeudy this offseason, they may be inclined to continue their reset and pick up some draft pieces.
“Despite his impressive reputation, the wide receiver only has one 1,000-yard season to his name, as he finished last year with 59 receptions for 772 yards,” Latham wrote.
Sutton signed a 4-year, $60.8 million contract in 2021 to lock him into Denver but with the way WR contracts have exploded he is looking for another payday.
Sutton is still only 29 years old, so he still has plenty of good football in front of him. Latham explained, “After all, they’ve already parted ways with Jeudy, Wilson, and star safety Justin Simmons, so what’s keeping Sutton around?”
This move could clearly benefit the Baltimore Ravens while letting the Broncos continue to gain assets for their rebuild.
