Unspoken Collusion: I don't have any doubt whatsoever that

Mar 24, 2023, 10:43 AM

NFL owners are colluding in the Lamar Jackson contract situation. They are still fuming over the Cleveland Browns owner giving Deshaun Watson that fully guaranteed contract. That completely upset their apple cart, and with Jackson being the first (or not, depending on whose story it is) to demand a similar fully guaranteed deal, they are going all out to reset that apple cart back to its former level, and take that fully guaranteed foolishness back out of the equation. If that means that NO ONE offers Jackson any deal at all, then so be it. He will be the test mule, the sacrificial lamb.

What could Roger Goodell do about this? Number One, he ain't even going to attempt to do anything, because he is the owners sock puppet. Number Two, since the owners are united on this front, there will be no cries of collusion, and there certainly will be no physical evidence that can be found. But, rest assured, it IS collusion. And the only way it will end is when Lamar Jackson, and those after him, go back to accepting non-fully guaranteed contracts.

Or, there is one other way it COULD end. An owner could crack, break ranks, and offer Jackson that fully guaranteed contract he seeks. But, for a couple of reasons, in this case, I don't think that will happen. Firstly, Jackson is still not accepted generally as being a GREAT passing quarterback. Secondly, his personality is just grating enough that he will not get the benefit of the doubt in the court of public opinion over this, especially since he continues to act as his own agent. I believe that all those factors will cause no owner to break ranks in this case.

The NFL has always done its business contract wise completely different than any other pro sport. Why they so vehemently oppose guaranteed contracts is a mystery to me. They can still play with the money in any way they choose, as far as calling it signing bonuses, roster bonuses, and all the other crap they use to play games with the salary cap. But, that word "guaranteed" just seems to keep them up at night worrying. What's the deal on that, for any of you'se who might actually be into financials?