There’s been a lot of talk about the coming Lamar Jackson extension this offseason. Both he and the Ravens have insisted something will get worked out, and that they’re not worried about when. We heard this past week that Jackson was still operating without an agent, and that his mother was running point on negotiations as his business partner. Apparently that has some people concerned, causing the NFLPA to reach out. The players’ union “has tried to assist to no avail,” during the process, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes.
La Canfora says Jackson has received “zero guidance” from the NFLPA. He also notes that since no agent is involved, there’s naturally “zero flow of information about it in the agent community.” La Canfora opines that since the contract negotiation process “requires exposing warts and engaging in a bare-fisted back-and-forth at times,” it can be a “far easier exchange with a third party.” He also says he’s inclined to think the negotiations drag “on for a while, and we don’t get a lot of action in the first half of July.” It’s a unique situation for the Ravens and their franchise quarterback, and one everyone around the league will be watching with eyebrows raised. It should be very interesting to see how it all plays out.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- The Bills finally got their man, signing Emmanuel Sanders to a one-year deal this past offseason. Apparently they’ve been after the veteran receiver for a while. GM Brandon Beane tried to trade for Sanders at the 2019 trade deadline, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic writes. He was ultimately traded from the Broncos to the 49ers at that deadline instead. We knew Buffalo pursued him in free agency last year, but he ended up signing with the Saints. The third time turned out to be the charm. Sanders turned 34 in March but remained fairly productive in New Orleans last season and Buscaglia seems bullish on his outlook, writing that he’s the “most underrated piece” of the Bills’ offense and that Josh Allen looked for him often during recent practices.
- David DeCastro was just released by the Steelers last week, and the veteran lineman is reportedly considering retirement. Although DeCastro will apparently wait at least a couple of months before deciding whether or not to play again, he has another decision that sounds easier for him to make. DeCastro is “likely to file a grievance” through the NFLPA against the Steelers, Ed Bouchette of The Athletic writes. Pittsburgh released him with a non-football injury designation, but DeCastro said recently the ankle problem for which he’ll soon undergo another surgery is something he was dealing with from last season that didn’t heal right. Bouchette seems to think the Steelers know they’ll have to end up paying DeCastro some more money down the line, but that they made the move so they’d immediately be able to fit Trai Turner‘s contract into their salary cap.
If the grievance is just a procedural move so that DeCastro can get that future money, all’s well that ends well. If it leads to fines against the organization, so be it as well since billionaires can afford it. If it costs the Steelers draft picks, that would suck
What player in the NFL couldn’t be listed each week for an injury? I mean they are always battling something but if they violated rules then punishment is deserved
Jackson will never win a Super Bowl. He just cannot throw the ball well enough to win 3-4 straight games against top flight opponents.
I never thought flacco would get us one either, but speaking of mile high
That was a terrible missed hold on that Decker drop in OT.
To be fair to Baltimore, Rahim Moore sealed that for the Broncos with that awful misplay of the deep ball to Jones. Flacco was lights out that postseason.
I know I wished they’d let him go for 1 more passing TD tho. We won tho.
Crazy enough, Flacco would probably have one or two more Super Bowls if not for Lee Evans or Billy Cundiff.
Not to defend Flacco, just weird to think.
Awful memories. At least the DB made a play on Evans’s ball. Cundiff though … dear God.