Home/NFL

via Imago

via Imago

Ever since the Cleveland Browns signed former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson on a $230 million multi-year guaranteed contract, the quarterback market took a serious hit. Both for the players and the owners. Top quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson want something in Deshaun’s range. Conversely, other NFL teams don’t want to act desperately like the Browns. And many in the NFL world have stated their doubts about teams indulging in collusion. However, an NFL executive recently squashed these assumptions of collusion.

In an exclusive anonymous interview with The Athletic’s Mike Sando, the league insiders clearly indicated that Lamar Jackson isn’t attracting other team offers. And not because of the quarterback market economics, but because of his own lack of postseason success and a long history of injuries.

Pat Mahomes would have no problem finding a spot in the league

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The deteriorating relationship between the Baltimore Ravens and their dual-threat quarterback looks to be beyond the point of salvage. Lamar tweeted his wish to be traded after the Ravens placed him on the non-exclusive franchise tag. Not happy with the $32.416 million cap hit it comes with, Lamar is looking for something higher than the already rejected $133 million three-year guaranteed deal offered by Baltimore late last year.

ALSO READ: Lamar Jackson Uses Single Image to Illustrate Serious Mounting Issues With Baltimore Ravens

The non-exclusive tag allows other franchises to offer a deal to Action Jackson. However, the Ravens can still match the offer within five days or receive two first-round draft picks in return. However, not a lot of offers have come in for the 2019 NFL MVP and former Heisman winner. Collusion? Or do NFL teams collectively have no faith in the Louisville star? One NFL executive laughed off the first option, claiming that things would be vastly different had it been 2x Super Bowl champion, Patrick Mahomes, in Lamar’s place.

If Patrick Mahomes were in Lamar’s shoes, he would have 30 offer sheets, all guaranteed,” the anonymous exec said. “The issue with Lamar is, the way he plays, no one has ever really played that way for a long time, and you have to completely change your team to do it. That is fine on a rookie deal, but you are not doing it at $50 million after two injury-plagued years.

Fans seemed to agree with the executive assessment of Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson missed the last six games this regular season due to his knee injury, including the playoff loss in the first round to the Bengals. Last year, it was his ankle that ruled him out for the last 5 games of the regular season. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, on the other hand, played through a high ankle sprain suffered in the divisional round to ultimately win the Vince Lombardi trophy against all odds.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Lamar’s rushing offense does pose an additional threat. However, with the emergence of more dual-threat quarterbacks in the league like Justin Fields and Jalen Hurts, Action Jackson may be losing his leverage.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

WATCH THIS STORY: Patrick Mahomes Mark Wahlberg join rest of the sports world to venerate March Madness sensation Caitlin Clark

With a 1-3 postseason record, Bill Belichick and the Patriots have already passed up on Jackson. The Colts are a possibility, as they are one of the few remaining teams in the league that can afford Lamar’s cap hit next season. Where do you think Action Jackson lands next season?