Lamar Jackson mentioned damaged mic on his phone throughout negotiations
The landmark, 61-page judgment finding that the NFL motivated teams to collude (however inexplicably concluding the teams overlooked the support) consists of a lot of things we didn’t currently understand– and that they didn’t desire us to know.Specifically, the document consists of information relating to the settlements that lastly culminated in quarterback Lamar Jackson signing a five-year agreement with the Ravens in 2023. Throughout the hearing on the collusion case, Ravens G.M. Eric DeCosta testified that his difficulties in negotiating straight with Jackson, who has no representative, were intensified by (as Jackson described it to DeCosta)technical troubles.”Mr. Jackson said that the microphone on his phone was not working, making communications with Mr. DeCosta difficult, “the ruling describes at page 30. Whether that held true or a merely an avoidance technique is open for analysis. Regardless, it’s a tangible example of the practical obstacles to getting an offer done in between Jackson and the Ravens. And we never would have understood about it, if the NFL and NFL Players Association had actually been enabled to continue to hide the judgment. The document likewise discusses that Jackson desired a fully-guaranteed contract. Before the 2022 season, Jackson texted DeCosta:”
I’m going to continue to request a FULLY ensured contract I comprehend you all DON’T which’s fine.” After the 2022 season, with Jackson’s five-year rookie contract finished, he once again sought a fully-guaranteed contract. The Ravens provided 2 different three-year offers that the team “thought about”to be fully ensured. Jackson decreased both deals and asked for a trade.DeCosta requested for a list of teams to which Jackson would accept a trade. Jackson never provided a list. Only a number of groups expressed interest in Jackson before the non-exclusive franchise tag was used by the Ravens. After application, no group reached out straight to Jackson.The 2 sides were at deadlock.
Jackson desired out. No one was contacting him. The Ravens thought he would not take a deal that wasn’t totally guaranteed.So how did it get resolved? Here it is, from page 32 of the document:”Mr. DeCosta was getting ready for the 2023 draft in April 2023 under the assumption that Mr. Jackson would no longer be playing for the Ravens, however on the eve of the draft, sent out Mr. Jackson a
new deal … Much to Mr. DeCosta’s surprise, Mr. Jackson quickly accepted it. “On the surface, this is two-year-old news. However, the 2 sides will soon be working out again( and might already be ). Which implies that Lamar may when again press for a fully-guaranteed agreement, particularly since he was the league MVP in 2023 and could/should have been the MVP in 2024
. Nevertheless it plays out, here’s hoping he has actually used some of the cash from his newest agreement to purchase a better phone.