In a recent interview, ESPN’s Adam Schefter expounded a theory on why so many teams are coming out and voicing their disinterest in Lamar Jackson, who received the non-exclusive franchise tag last week and is allowed to negotiate terms with other teams than the Ravens. The theory has nothing to do with Jackson and his outstanding abilities; it has to do with the Ravens’ player personnel staff.
One of the advantages that we teased in earlier reports on the situation was that, by tagging Jackson with the non-exclusive tag, the team would effectively be allowing other teams to do their negotiating for them, since they would likely match any offer opposing teams would make. There was speculation that the Ravens could do this to essentially allow the market to set the value on Jackson.
Schefter theorizes that other teams have no interest in doing Baltimore’s homework for them. Other franchises are fully aware that the Ravens have no intention of letting Jackson walk, so any offer they might make just does the Ravens’ job for them of organizing a new deal for Lamar.
Another added detriment for other teams is that the Ravens would have five days to match the offer or accept Jackson’s departure. In the meantime, the offering team would be stuck in salary cap purgatory, not knowing whether or not it would be taking on the contract of a premier veteran quarterback or not. This is extremely unattractive as free agency is due to open next week. If a team is stuck for five days not knowing their financial position, it becomes difficult to negotiate with other free agents.
Here are a few other free agency rumors from around the conference:
- An example not too unsimilar from the above phenomenon may occur in Denver, where new Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has recently arrived from Arizona. Joseph may also bring along a former player as, according to freelance journalist and former Cardinals staff writer Mike Jurecki, the Broncos reportedly have lots of interest in Cardinals pending free agent defensive end Zach Allen. Allen is expected to earn an impressive contract this offseason after a standout contract year in Arizona.
- In a recent mailbag with Las Vegas Review-Journal writer Vincent Bonsignore, a question was posed about the potential for the Raiders to re-sign cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. According to Bonsignore, the team is certainly open to bringing Ya-Sin back, for the right price. Ya-Sin followed up an impressive 2021 season in Indianapolis with a decent year in Las Vegas after being traded straight up for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. The team could certainly use Ya-Sin as their cornerback depth has been whittled down over the years, and a semi-down year for the young corner could assist in setting up the “right price” for the Raiders.
Teams seem to be helping Lamar by not offering him a contract
This is bad for Lamar, How is this helping him by not offering ?
Um no they aren’t. By other teams not offering him. Jackson has no one to drive his market besides the Ravens. He’s stuck.
I love seeing all the talking heads on TV screaming “Collusion!” when in reality the Lamar Jackson contract problem has a half-dozen real conundrums that owners and GMs are rightfully choosing not to waste their time on at this instant.
I feel like with everyday that passes Lamar Jackson’s chances of regretting not having a formal agent work out negotiations is getting higher and higher and now you have this added to what was going on with his health at the end of the season and now I wonder if he didn’t just cost himself millions over the last year. He’s going up against a Ravens front office that is top 5 IMO also. Good luck.
I sent a memo to every NFL owner saying I’d sign for no less than what Lamar wants. Not one person has reached out to my agent (my mom). Must be collusion!
And when Lamar eventually signs with the Ravens, he’ll be “burdened” with a $150M-$175M in guarantees. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Could also have something to do with teams not wanting to give out a large contract to a QB who had 1 good season 4yr ago and has regressed ever since.
Plus he shares a border with the Dutch.
I personally love what Lamar is doing , baseball and basketball all have fully guaranteed contracts , why not the NFL ? We all know the guaranteed money is the only figure that really matters in a NFL contract. The rest is a giant if .. if you stay at the top of your position , if the team still wants you , if you don’t get hurt ect ect .. if you want total commitment, then commit totally, period .. Good job Lamar know your worth and don’t settle for too much less