Lamar Jackson‘s decision not to use a traditional agent has made his extension talks with the Ravens one of this year’s top storylines. It is one thing to use this setup to negotiate a draft-slot deal, but hammering out a near-NFL-record extension without an agent veers into new territory.
Previous reports have indicated Jackson and his mother were leading the way in discussing the contract with the Ravens, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes more parties are involved. Jackson’s mother, Felicia Jones, is not believed to be directly involved in the talks, per Florio. Instead, Jackson and advisers are leading the negotiations.
Still, the 2019 MVP is negotiating a deal expected to surpass $40MM annually without an agent. Although the likes of Richard Sherman and Bobby Wagner finalized notable contracts without an agent, with the latter’s $18MM-per-year pact still the NFL’s top off-ball linebacker figure nearly two years later, Jackson going without an NFLPA-certified agent is a bit different. The NFLPA has approached Jackson about this setup, but the fourth-year quarterback has not hired an agent.
The dual-threat quarterback’s atypical skill set will factor into these agent-less discussions; his struggles in three Ravens playoff losses might as well. Jackson’s run-game usage dwarfs the other current top-dollar QBs, creating a potential longevity concern. The Ravens also have him signed for two more seasons, via the fifth-year option. John Harbaugh, however, has assured an extension will come to pass.
Jackson has said he is not overly concerned if the extension becomes finalized this year or in 2022. The 24-year-old superstar is due just $1.78MM in base salary this season. The modern rookie-contract structure has driven many young quarterbacks to sign extensions before their fourth seasons. Dak Prescott and Kirk Cousins played out their low-priced fourth years, leading to franchise-tagged seasons, but the rest of the young quarterbacks to sign lucrative re-ups over the past several years — Russell Wilson and Ryan Tannehill (2015), Derek Carr (2017), Carson Wentz and Jared Goff (2019), Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson (2020) — opted against playing on their rookie contracts beyond Year 3.
Given the circumstances, it will be interesting to see the guarantee structure and how this extension will stack up next to the agent-driven accords fellow 2018 first-rounders Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield end up signing. How close the AAV comes to Mahomes’ unusually structured deal will obviously be notable as well.
Is there any evidence that NFLPA certification makes an agent more intelligent, competent or ethical than those without certification?
She’s involved in talks with my pants! Boom. Roasted Lamar’s mom.
Another excellent piece
What a momma’s boy!
I hear you Mr. GM But momma said
What adult man, already making millions, responsible for running an elite offense for a billion dollar franchise, still needs to be managed by his mother? It’s bizarre.
And his mom most likely has zero experience in dealing with hundred million dollar deals. But hey, once he signs, we can fully expect him to complain about the contract no more than 2 years down the line.
Agents are worried that the Jackson and his advisers will work out a good contract that will cost Jackson much less in fees to those advising him and since he is of high profile, it will cause other top players to consider taking the same route.
Or when his mommy leaves money on the table it sets the bar lower for the actual professionals negotiating their clients deals. But his mom once got a great deal on the monthly satellite bill so she should be able to negotiate a multi million dollar contract against people that do that stuff for a living no problem.
I think its more this route. Leaving money on the table affects the future free agent/extension candidates. Besides most agents have some experience in contractual law which helps with the minor details outside of the big money involved. For example, the ravens could slip in complicated language that voids the deal which a non-agent may not grasp. That would be my biggest fear if I was in his position going the route he’s decided to go.
Bingo!
Already saw an article how he lost more money than he saved off his rookie deal because not having an agent there to answer concerns caused him to slide in the 1st round. He lost more $ than the 3% savings off not having an agent.
He should have hired Prescott’s agent, as Dak fleeced the Cowboys.
Like the old saying about a person representing themself in court, they have a fool for an attorney. I’m sure the Union isn’t happy having amateurs, or in this case Mommy, setting the bar for the rest of the unions negotiations.