Quarterback Lamar Jackson is still a member of the Baltimore Ravens after they used their non-exclusive franchise tag on him, but the question is what will happen next with him?
He is free to negotiate a possible contract with any other team, and the Ravens have the right to match such a contract, or to let him go and receive two first-round draft picks in return for him.
Jackson is a rarity in pro sports in the sense that he doesn’t have an agent representing him, and that he has been negotiating directly with the Ravens in an attempt to receive a hefty new contract.
There have been rumors that a man named Ken Francis has been attempting to contact NFL teams in an attempt to negotiate a contract for Jackson, even though Francis isn’t Jackson’s agent or certified by the NFL Players Association.
As a result, the league sent a memo to its teams, warning them not to negotiate with Francis.
Here’s the full memo from the NFL Management Council warning teams not to negotiate with a man named Ken Francis about Lamar Jackson.
“Violation of this rule may result in disapproval of any Offer Sheet or result. Player Contract entered into by Mr. Jackson and the new Club.” pic.twitter.com/v0ibYCfl2J
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 23, 2023
Fans on Twitter criticized Jackson for not having an agent who handles his business affairs.
What a mess, just get a normal agent like every other NFL player & especially QBs where the contracts are so complicated
—NMH (@nosmhsnow) March 23, 2023
Bro what is Lamar doing. Just hire an agent and get the bag
— joe schiavi (@ScoundrelPrez) March 23, 2023
Damn. If Lamar had an agent, this would be over by now.
— All SHOULD Be Equal Before THEE Law🇺🇦🌻 (@EqualUnderLaw12) March 23, 2023
Jackson has misread this entire situation. Hire the RIGHT expert to assist and negotiate the deal on his behalf. It’s smart business to have a smart and reliable support team.
— Yard of War (@YardofWar) March 23, 2023
For his part, Jackson claimed that Francis isn’t trying to negotiate a deal on his behalf.
Stop Lying that man never tried to negotiate for me 🤣🤣 https://t.co/DIMXtxOAnR
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 23, 2023
At age 26, Jackson is still one of the NFL’s best running QBs, but he isn’t one of the better threats in the league when throwing the football.
Plus, there are concerns about its durability.
He missed five games both last season and in 2021 due to injuries, and dual-threat signal-callers such as him are thought to have a shorter shelf life in general.
Jackson is reportedly seeking a contract similar to the one Deshaun Watson got last year from the Cleveland Browns, which is worth $230 million in fully guaranteed money over five years.
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