OTL: Ravens Fans Only Third Angriest Fan Base?

For much of the last few weeks, I – Like Dev Panchwagh did Tuesday night – have been pondering the Ravens defense:

Just had a moment & thought about how loaded the #Ravens defense truly is. Studs all over.

Tier I
Roquan, Humph, Williams, Hamilton

Tier II
Queen, Mads

On the brink
Oweh, Pierce, Washington

Upside
Jones, Ojabo

And yes I already have Hamilton in Tier I. #RavensFlock

— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) March 22, 2023

Maybe it’s me subconsciously pushing thoughts of Lamar Jackson’s situation away, but the facts remain: the Ravens defense could be special next season.

For just a moment, I’ll focus a little more attention on this excellent unit. In a less positive light, though, they may be losing a real leader:

The #Falcons are planning to host veteran DL Calais Campbell on a free-agent visit this week, sources say. Campbell was recently released by the #Ravens, who kept the door open for his return. But in the meantime, the 15-year veteran will meet with Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/BdxUOBFSfx

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 21, 2023

At his age, Campbell isn’t going to be the player that wins Baltimore a Super Bowl. Still, he’s a valuable member of any locker room, and he absolutely has enough in the tank to make a difference on the field.

It’s not a done deal, but it’d be a shame to see Campbell go.

And now we’re back to Lamar; I can’t bury the lede too deep.

On Tuesday, ProFootballTalk reported, as Sarah Ellison relays here, that an uncertified representative spoke on Jackson’s behalf to notify the world that he’s “ready to move on” from Baltimore:

A representative for Lamar Jackson that is not certified by the NFLPA has contacted more than one team to try to spark negotiations for a possible offer sheet, per @ProFootballTalk.

The rep reportedly told teams that Lamar is ready to move on from the Ravens. pic.twitter.com/DS6HSEXTH9

— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) March 21, 2023

𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: Lamar Jackson is "ready to move on" from the #Ravens, a source told Mike Florio.

Another source told him that Lamar does not want a fully-guaranteed contract.https://t.co/Az2ixfPs8X pic.twitter.com/6LgU6JYJQO

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 21, 2023

Naturally, this sent the Twitterverse into a frenzy.

Dan Orlovsky and Pat McAfee had thoughts on it:

"Lamar Jackson has taken a THOUSAND hits for that Ravens organization and they won't pay him what he deserves" ~ @danorlovsky7#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/oVE0l84cBw

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 21, 2023

Ramey had thoughts on it:

Ravens fans outside Lamar Jackson’s house pic.twitter.com/NwWga6KvtW

— Ramey (@HoodieRamey) March 22, 2023

There were rumors swirling about other QB options:

RUMORS:

Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Indianapolis Colts were in attendance of Cam Newton’s workout show at Auburn today. pic.twitter.com/mROzpMqtxZ

— Sports Insider (@SportsInsider34) March 21, 2023

Finally, of course, Vegas had thoughts on it:

.@bookies Lamar Jackson 2023 Team Odds

Ravens +225 (30.8%)#Titans +400 (20%) 👀👀
Patriots +500 (16.7%)
Vikings +550 (15.4%)
Colts +1000 (9.1%)
Jets +1400 (6.7%)
Falcons +1500 (6.3%)
The Field +575 (14.8%)https://t.co/n5iwOsEY9x

— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 21, 2023

At the same time, however, it makes sense for Jackson’s camp to be doing this. If he wants to drum up offers from other potential suitors, letting them know that his heart isn’t in Baltimore – even if that isn’t the case – could get things moving. Why would he tell them, for instance, that he ISN’T ready to move on?

On the other hand, the past shows that the former-MVP has had a desire to stay in Charm City.

pic.twitter.com/cD0Ig7j47n

— Ramey (@HoodieRamey) March 21, 2023

More importantly, though, this doesn’t align with the two sides’ previous negotiations:

I would personally be shocked if Lamar gave a hard "no" to remaining a Raven.

They have operated in an unusual way, purposely preparing for an offer sheet and to maintain matching flexibility. In addition, they've traded numerous players that have asked out.#RavensFlock

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) March 21, 2023

Maybe this is a new development, and Jackson does truly want to depart. As of now, I just don’t buy it, and that’s because of another fact I haven’t yet seen noted (it’s my own).

If Jackson does want to leave Baltimore, I’m not completely convinced it’s in his best interest to make that evident. Before this news came out, competitive teams believed they’d have to bring out the Brinks truck with an offer for Jackson the Ravens simply couldn’t match.

Now, it’s possible teams will make offers Baltimore is willing to give their QB.

It is true that Jackson would have additional opportunities to leave, the first of which being a trade, but I don’t see this as a strong negotiation tactic if it’s true. But perhaps Jackson’s camp is as frustrated with the lack of movement as we Ravens fans are. Either way, it’s what’s circulating right now.

Meanwhile, it could make sense that Jackson would want out of Baltimore, especially given the team’s uninspiring moves at the WR position. That trend continued earlier this week with Nelson Agholor:

The Ravens hosted WR Nelson Agholor on a free agent visit.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 20, 2023

Agholor hasn’t officially signed with the Ravens, but it’s the type of visit that fans have grown tired of. In fact, they’re the 3^rd-most tired and frustrated fanbase in the league:

According to https://t.co/EeMDfUfU6p, the Baltimore Ravens fanbase is the third-angriest online NFL fanbase since free agency began. pic.twitter.com/FX7sXze0zd

— Kyle Phoenix Barber (@KylePBarber) March 21, 2023

Here’s the article from Gambling.com.

As Jeff Zrebiec notes, that ranking might be low:

I think they’re selling it dramatically short.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 21, 2023

But maybe Ravens fans are right to be angry. DeSean Jackson expresses some clear distaste with the team’s support of their QB:

DeSean Jackson takes a shot at the Baltimore Ravens Wide Receivers.

Curious to see if Rashod Bateman will speak up against D-Jax like he did against General Manager Eric DeCosta.#RavensFlock#Ravens pic.twitter.com/Qv3aL4otl1

— Flockville (@Flockville) March 21, 2023

Agholor aside, there’s a few other quick ways for Baltimore’s front office to reverse those feelings. I’ll leave you with a few of them just to get the gears turning on this Wednesday:

Mel Kiper makes his first round prediction for the Ravens: pic.twitter.com/sgbFy7tW0J

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 21, 2023

As the status of #AZCardinals star WR DeAndre Hopkins comes into focus, talks are ramping up among the interested teams, sources say. Similar to Brandin Cooks, a trade would likely mean an altered contract.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 21, 2023