Why Ravens' Lamar Jackson makes sense for Colts

Editor's note: This originally ran March 20 and has been updated after Monday's news that Lamar Jackson has requested a trade.

INDIANAPOLIS — Within hours of the Baltimore Ravens placing the nonexclusive franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson on March 7, reports surfaced that numerous teams had no interest in negotiating with Jackson.

The Indianapolis Colts, who haven't had a quarterback start consecutive season openers since Andrew Luck in 2015-16, were not among those teams.

Unlike with the exclusive franchise tag, the nonexclusive tag allows Jackson to negotiate a contract with other teams, and the Ravens would have five days to either match the deal or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.

If the 26-year-old former MVP leaves Baltimore — and he announced Monday that he requested a trade March 2 — there are reasons to believe the Colts would be a good fit. Owner Jim Irsay is intent on solving a quarterback problem that has defined Indianapolis for the past five years, and he's proved willing to pay top dollar. But Jackson, who has missed 11 games over the past two seasons because of injuries, is reportedly looking for a fully guaranteed deal. And Jackson is representing himself instead of hiring an agent, which would seemingly complicate negotiations.

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Indianapolis did not rule out having discussions with Jackson, according to a team source. The Colts continue to have internal discussions about Jackson, according to a team source, but it is unclear what steps they've taken beyond that. Team sources have