Carolina Panthers GM Scott Fitterer on Lamar Jackson: 'A really expensive option'

There’s no question that the Carolina Panthers have been active this NFL offseason. From numerous auspicious free agent signings to trading for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 Draft, it’s safe the say that it’s been a promising couple of weeks in Charlotte. But would they be interested in what would be the biggest move of the NFL offseason, trading for quarterback Lamar Jackson?

NFL insider Andrew Siciliano may have gotten closer to that answer, as he reported Monday on Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer’s potential interest in the former NFL Most Valuable Player from 2019.

According to Siciliano, regarding Carolina’s interest in Jackson, Fitterer said, “He’s a great option, a really expensive option,” and that their main focus is on the focused on the upcoming draft.  

Jackson has been eligible for a contract extension with Baltimore Ravens for over two years now, but the two parties are still yet to agree on a long-term deal. Jackson has been representing himself through negations without an agent, and on March 7 the Ravens placed their nonexclusive franchise tag on him.

The tag pays Jackson $32 million this season, but also allows him to engage in contract talks with other teams like the Panthers. If Carolina were interested in striking up a deal for Jackson, Baltimore could still either match the proposed offer sheet and keep Jackson or take two compensatory first-round draft picks in exchange for him.

Between a deal for Jackson, or another free agent quarterback, and the numerous quarterback prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft, it’s hard to gauge who will play under center for the Panthers this upcoming season. But according to Fitterer, it sounds like a rookie is more likely than one of the best dual-threat options the game has ever seen.

Carolina Panthers offseason moves

Whoever is playing quarterback for Carolina next season will have plenty of new weapons at their disposal. The Panthers did lose their number one wide receiver from a season ago, DJ Moore, in their trade with the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. But they also added numerous offense pieces this offseason.

The Panthers signed former Pro Bowl wide receiver Adam Thielen to a three-year contract on Sunday, also signing running back Miles Sanders and tight end Hayden Hurst to multi-year deals as well this offseason. Carolina still boats one of the league’s top defenses as well, and between their new roster and the current condition of the NFC South division, it could be safe to say the Panthers are quarterback away from achieving some needed success.