Fans aren’t the only ones keeping a close eye on Lamar Jackson‘s contract situation.
According to broadcaster and former ESPN analyst Trey Wingo, members of the NFL Players Association are “keeping a close eye” for signs of collusion between NFL teams as the situation develops.
The subject came up when former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, now an NFL analyst, noted how many teams have reportedly made the decision not to pursue the former NFL MVP.
On Tuesday, Baltimore put the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson after failing to come to an agreement with the QB.
Per ESPN, Jackson wants a fully guaranteed contract similar to the $230 million deal given to Deshaun Watson last year by the Cleveland Browns.
One NFL executive recently told ESPN, “Just because the Browns were desperate doesn’t mean that the Ravens are.”
After the Jackson news broke Tuesday, reports began trickling out that multiple teams are not going to pursue the QB.
That feels like a giant missed opportunity for those teams. Quarterbacks of Jackson’s quality don’t become available often.
Jackson has a 45-16 regular-season record. Injuries derailed his past two seasons, but he’d make almost any team an instant contender.
Collusion may be difficult to prove, as Schwartz noted.
The apparent lack of interest in Jackson shows the Ravens might not have overplayed their hand. Whether they were lucky or knew what Jackson’s market would look like beforehand is of great interest to the NFLPA, as it should be.
NFL owners want the Watson deal to be an outlier, not the new normal. The NFLPA rightfully would cry foul if it discovered front offices acted in concert to depress Jackson’s market.
This contract saga is only getting started. The final numbers on Jackson’s deal could determine how long it’s an issue.
