Here’s All You Need to Know About NFL Collusion, Which Many Presume to Be the Prime Reason for Lamar Jackson Contract Drama With Baltimore Ravens

A pro league like the NFL is primarily driven by profit. Due to this, organizations might end up taking actions that are illegal for profit. Furthermore, the chances of such actions between teams of the league become a very real possibility. This is termed collusion. In the case of the NFL, there might be possibilities of collusions happening between teams. Furthermore, there is speculation that there might be some collusion happening in the recent case of Lamar Jackson.

Due to this threat, the NFL and the NFLPA have gone on to petition and make rules against it. Furthermore, if collusion is proven, there are safeguards for legal implications. So, what exactly is collusion in the NFL?

What exactly is collusion and what safeguards prevent it?

Collusion, in the case of the NFL, refers to teams making decisions together in a manner that is not permitted by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). However, due to the presence of the NFLPA and the NFL’ union, there exists a multi-employer bargaining unit. This unit exists to discuss issues like the draft as well as contracts that affect players across the league.

Therefore, for the discussion of the nitty-gritty of the league, the owners meet four times in a year. As per NBC Sports, NFLPA Executive Director, DeMaurice Smith, has gone on to call these meetings collusion meetings in the past.

Read More: Baltimore Ravens Fans Come Forth in Support of Lamar Jackson in a Unique Flavor, as Contract Drama Reaches Peak

Rules stipulate that the owners are not allowed to unofficially make collective decisions. The owners are legally bound to make decisions that exist for the benefit of the players and the league. However, collusion among the owners is usually said to happen when owners collectively refrain from certain actions. This might even mean refraining from offering any contracts to a controversial player. This can become detrimental to a player’s career if they become the target of such collusion.

One such rumored case of collusion is the case of Collin Kaepernick. After he kneeled during the national anthem, he became the face of a racial controversy in the league. After this happened, the league saw a collective gathering of owners refusing to offer Kaepernick a contract. Furthermore, there is a possibility that this might be happening in the case of Jackson as well.

Is Lamar Jackson the collateral damage to collusion?

Jackson’s case is a peculiar one. The quarterback has been in talks with the Baltimore Ravens without an agent. He has gone on to ask the Ravens for a fully-guaranteed deal that the Ravens have refused. However, it is strange as there has been precedence with Deshaun Watson’s deal.

Furthermore, the Ravens have recently placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson. Ideally, this would mean that teams would be jumping at the chance of making a deal with the brilliant quarterback. Astonishingly, no team has offered him anything.

Watch this story: “Jackson does more than Aaron Rodgers” former Super Bowl MVP and NFL legend believes Lamar Jackson is more valuable than Aaron Rodgers

While there is no way to tell without investigation, there are speculations that the uncharacteristic behavior of all the teams might be proof of collusion. Furthermore, it would make sense due to the fact that teams wouldn’t have to pay Jackson’s request for a guaranteed deal. However, the organizations can only be blamed for collusion if concrete proof of their behavior being a collective can be proven.

While there might not be any proof of collusion yet, speculations are running high. Due to the peculiar behavior of teams, there might be a chance of collusion between teams. Prior to the upcoming season, it only remains to be seen if there is any truth to the speculations of collusion.