NFL Rumors: Chargers could greatly benefit from Lamar Jackson's trade request

The Lamar Jackson situation with the Baltimore Ravens is the biggest storyline in the entire NFL and is having a direct impact on the LA Chargers. Once the Jackson situation resolves, the Chargers will have a better idea of what the quarterback market really is and that will aid in the team's contract discussions with Justin Herbert.

Lamar himself added a unique wrinkle to the situation on Monday, confirming via social media that he demanded a trade from the Ravens as they were not willing to meet his value. Baltimore slapped the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, allowing any team to bring him in for the cost of two first-round picks.

It now seems more likely than ever that the Ravens are going to trade Lamar this offseason. And while the Chargers are as far away from needing a quarterback as possible, a Jackson trade could greatly benefit the team this offseason.

Allow Tyler Schoon of the Guilty as Charged Podcast to explain how this lingering Jackson situation could benefit the Chargers in the 2023 NFL Draft:

Lamar Jackson trade could help the Chargers trade down in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Trading down from the 21st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft is a pipe dream for many Chargers fans. This would allow the team to pick up an extra promising prospect or two without really sacrificing much as there is not a bonafide first-round need that the team has.

Tom Telesco has never traded back in the NFL Draft with the Chargers but he did hint at some potential movement earlier this offseason. The Ravens trading Lamar Jackson this offseason could increase the chances of that happening.

If there is a particular quarterback still on the board at pick 21 it becomes a crucial position for a potential quarterback-hungry team to move up in. If Baltimore has not yet drafted a quarterback then they will be the team to leapfrog, which benefits the Chargers immensely.

Of course, this is assuming that the Ravens do not take a QB earlier in the first round. If the Ravens trade Jackson then they are probably going to get a pick ahead of the Chargers (unless they trade him to the Minnesota Vikings, who have the 23rd pick in the first round).

But even if that happens it could benefit the Chargers. If the Ravens take a quarterback earlier in the first they could be looking to take an impact receiver at 22. Several other teams late in the first round need an impact receiver, which could prompt them to move up and leapfrog Baltimore for the best player available.

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Regardless, the Ravens trading Lamar creates a situation where the team is going to pick a position of high value with the 22nd pick. And the team that benefits from that the most is the one that holds the pick before the Ravens as it would give the Chargers much more leverage in potential trade downs.