Lamar Jackson collusion drama: All-Pro LB Bobby Wagner claims NFL teams ‘up to something’
Yesterday, the Baltimore Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson.
We have used the franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson. https://t.co/AHrqyCgcAI
This was expected as the two sides were still off on contract talks. Baltimore wants to keep Jackson long-term and don't want him to walk in free agency. Using the non-exclusive tag would allow them to receive two first-round picks in compensation if he decides to sign elsewhere.
However, there's one problem. While the thought was that Jackson would garner a lot of interest from opposing teams, it appears that isn't the case.
According to multiple reports, many quarterback-needy teams are reportedly showing no interest in acquiring Jackson. This includes the Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers, and Las Vegas Raiders.
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
The Seahawks defensive back tweeted that there's no way that collusion is involved because nobody wants to talk to the former MVP about a deal.
Free agent All-Pro Bobby Wagner quoted Diggs and said that the league is up to something.
They up to something twitter.com/qdiggs6/status…
Over the past couple of days, Derek Carr, Geno Smith, and Daniel Jones have all reached long-term deals.
Carr reached a four-year $150 million deal with the Saints. Smith inked a three-year $105 million deal with Seattle. Jones reached a four-year $160 million deal before the deadline yesterday with the Giants.
What is a non-exclusive franchise tag and how much does it pay?
Each season, a team can use the franchise tag on one of their pending free agents. Tagging the player would lock them into another season with the team and the two sides would still be able to negotiate a long-term deal.
There are two kinds of franchise tags. The non-exclusive tag and the exclusive tag. The most common of the two is the exclusive tag. Jackson received the non-exclusive tag yesterday by the Ravens.
The exclusive tag doesn't allow the player to negotiate with other teams. They're locked into the team that tagged them unless they decide to trade the player afterward.
The non-exclusive tags allow players to negotiate with other teams. If a deal is agreed upon between the player tagged and a different team, the team that originally tagged the player has the opportunity to match the offer.
The price tag for the non-exclusive tag for quarterbacks this season is $32.4 million. Jackson is set to make that this season.
The #Ravens applied the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson. That comes with a $32.4 million salary for 2023 and allows Jackson, for the first time in his career, to negotiate with other teams.
Baltimore could still agree to a long-term deal with him or he could be traded to a new team that gives him a new contract.