I’m not one to believe in conspiracy theories at the drop of a hat, but this might have some truth to it. Despite being a restricted free agent, Lamar Jackson has been weirdly and vocally ostracized and rejected by most of the NFL teams without starting-caliber quarterbacks.
Like I said, I really don’t want to believe the worst in someone or something just because it fits a certain narrative or way of thinking.
Personally, I just find it to be an unhealthy way of thinking and judging the actions of others…but there are always exceptions to most rules. And this may (key word here) be one of those times.
Only a few days ago, I was ranting about how stupid the Ravens and their GM Eric DeCosta were being as they not only failed to sign Lamar Jackson, the team’s franchise QB, down to a long-term deal after two years of intense negotiations, but he also franchise tagged Jackson with the non-exclusive tag. Can you believe that?
A 26-year-old, former unanimous MVP (2018), freak athlete franchise QB in the prime of his career was signed to a non-exclusive franchise tag that allows all 31 other NFL teams to get the chance to sign Jackon if they can pay the appropriate compensation. What is that compensation? Just two 1st round picks!
Just for comparison’s sake, Russell Wilson was traded for two 1st round picks, 2 2nd round picks, and a starting defensive player, while the Browns traded 3 1st round picks and three other later round picks for Deshaun Watson.
Obviously, teams would literally sacrifice their own mothers (if they actually had any) to get the chance of getting their hands on an MVP-level quarterback who is not only still in the early prime of his career, but also has the chance of taking them to Super Bowl glory if the right pieces are put around him.
So, for quarterback starved teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders, and Las Vegas Raiders to have reportedly dropped all interest in the available QB the moment he hit the open market (even though they were interested just days before) is very fishy.
Now, I will make exceptions for the Panthers, Dolphins, and Raiders as all three teams either have added QBs to their rosters in the time since Jackon hit the open market (Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo), already have a QB on the team but stuck by him (Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa), or have moved up in the draft to select one of the top QB prospects (Panthers traded for the #1 overall pick).
But that doesn’t excuse why the Falcons or Commanders have not put in an offer sheet for Lamar.
Currently, the two starting QBs for the Falcons and Commanders, respectively, are Desmond Ridder (Falcons) and Sam Howell (Commanders). These guys could very well go on to be MVPs and superstar quarterbacks in this league, but the odds of that happening are almost slim to none.
There’s only been 21 unique MVP winners since the year 1990, even though that time frame covers 32 years and appr. 50,000 NFL players coming and going into the league.
That’s just a 0.00042% chance of a player being named the NFL’s MVP.
Clearly, for a downtrodden team like the Commanders (who have only made the playoffs 5 times in the last 23 years) and the Falcons (who have never won the Super Bowl in the franchises’ 57-year history) to pass up on such a unique, rare talent like Lamar Jackson makes this whole situation so baffling for me.
Yet, if one subscribes to the belief that the Ravens and the 31 other NFL teams are colluding to force Jackson to lower his guaranteed money demands (supposedly, he’s looking for north of $230M), then it would make perfect sense as to why they have bailed on Jackson.
NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith obviously believes this as he released a scathing statement just a few days ago that pretty much says (I’ve linked it here and down below) he and the NFLPA believes the owners are screwing over Jackson by colluding over his contract negotiation.
I’m not going to go that far as to say the NFL owners are colluding to force Jackson to bow down to their demands as, like I said, I’m looking to see the best in one’s actions and motivations. So, maybe teams like the Falcons and Commanders really do believe they have better options and futures with the quarterbacks currently on their roster than they would by acquiring Lamar Jackson.
But this situation really does smell fishy.
Images Source: Featured Image:
Other Sources: (NFLPA.com) (NFL Free Agency Is a Study in Power and Control | NFLPA)
