Is Lamar Jackson a victim of collusion? Deshaun Watson's agent confirms foul play in latest NFL drama
The Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson situation got interesting in the blink of an eye. While the 2019 MVP was franchise tagged by the Ravens yesterday with a non-exclusive tag, it seems like getting the long-term lucrative deal that he was seeking will be tougher than expected.
Upon being tagged by the Ravens, multiple reports surfaced that a bunch of QB-needy teams aren't interested in him. The Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers, and Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly not interested in acquiring Jackson.
Update: The #Dolphins will not pursue #Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, per @JeffDarlington
In total: The #Falcons, #Commanders, #Panthers and #Raiders are all reportedly out on Lamar Jackson. https://t.co/d0hsSt7VPQ
Other quarterbacks (Derek Carr, Geno Smith, Daniel Jones) have all reached new deals this week, with all of them exceeding over $35 million per year.
Amid the odd disinterest in Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson's agent, David Mulugheta, tweeted that it sounds like Lamar is experiencing collusion.
Sounds like collusion to me…. 🤷🏾♂️
This is the same guy who helped Watson ink a five-year $230 million fully guaranteed contract last season. Jackson could be seeking a fully guaranteed contract similar to Watson.
Mulugheta isn't the only one who thinks Lamar is experiencing collusion.
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Quandre Diggs tweeted that there's no way teams don't want to talk to Jackson about a deal and claims it's collusion. Los Angeles Rams LB Bobby Wagner quote tweeted Diggs' tweet, and said, "They up to something" referring to NFL teams and owners.
They up to something twitter.com/qdiggs6/status…
Why aren't many teams interested in Lamar Jackson?
There are a few reasons why teams may be turned off from acquiring Lamar Jackson. One, any team that would acquire him would have to give up two first-round picks.
Since the Ravens used the non-exclusive tag, if Jackson were to agree to terms with a different team on a deal, then they'd have to forfeit two first-round picks to the Ravens.
Upon giving up two first-round picks, the team would have to give Jackson a big contract.
Via Chris Mortensen, Jackson reportedly turned down a six-year offer worth $133 million in guaranteed money.
Sources: Lamar Jackson rejected a Ravens' 6-yr contract offer with $133 million fully guaranteed at signing, which is more than Russell Wilson ($124 million) and Kyler Murray ($103.3 million) but well short of the $230 million fully guaranteed deal that Deshaun Watson got.
Jackson is one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the NFL and uses his legs a lot.
In his five-year career, he's already rushed the ball 727 times. He's missed the last few games of the 2021 and 2022 seasons due to injuries, and teams are worried about his long-term health.
It will be interesting to see how this situation plays out, but it seems more likely that Jackson may be a Raven this year.