Colts will mull deal for QB Lamar Jackson, 'a special player'

PHOENIX — The Indianapolis Colts' yearslong search for a quarterback continues, and that search will include consideration of Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard on Monday confirmed the team's interest at the NFL's annual meeting, saying that Indianapolis — which has endured constant quarterback upheaval since Andrew Luck's retirement in 2019 — has to consider all options to fix the position. Among those options is Jackson, who given the nonexclusive franchise tag by the Ravens but is free to negotiate with outside teams.

«Anytime a special player is available, which he is, you've got to do the work,» Ballard said, echoing the sentiments of coach Shane Steichen, who said earlier Monday that the Colts were doing their «due diligence» on all quarterbacks. «I'm not going to get into deep discussions on where it's at or what we're doing or what we might do. But what I'll tell you is he's a really good player, really special player. But you never know how any of this will work out.»

A team that signs Jackson to an offer sheet would owe the Ravens two first-round picks if the Ravens decline to match the contract. Also, Jackson on Monday tweeted that he had earlier this month made a trade request to Baltimore, adding another layer of intrigue to the story.

In Indianapolis, the Colts are under considerable pressure to solve their quarterback crisis after witnessing Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan flame out in consecutive seasons in 2021 and 2022. Jackson would go a long way toward fixing the issue.

«If you don't feel like you have one that can absolutely change the franchise in terms of leading you every year, I think you're always going to feel some pressure to get that player right,» Ballard