Commanders General Manager Martin Mayhew said on Monday that he didn’t want to get into specifics when asked why Washington wasn’t pursuing quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Head coach Ron Rivera shared a similar sentiment during his media availability on Tuesday, though he went a little farther than Mayhew.
“We honestly never did [consider it],” Rivera said, via the Washington Post. “It was just something that we just didn’t feel suited what we wanted to do. I know he’s a tremendous talent. I know he’s a player that can impact your team.
“I just didn’t think — and we sat down and talked about it — that was the direction for us as a football team.”
Even if the Commanders had pursued Jackson, there’s no guarantee they would land him because the Ravens have the right to match any offer sheet. There’s a belief that Baltimore will match a deal that isn’t fully guaranteed.
So, Washington will proceed into its fourth offseason program under Rivera with Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett at QB.