The NFL tends to get away with it, but they’re not very clever about hiding their intentions when it comes to tipping the scales at the negotiating table. Yesterday the league showed their entire hand after the Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson. Within an hour, at least five other teams leaked to the media that they were not interested, including the Falcons, Panthers, Raiders, Commanders and Dolphins.
An extremely normal thing to do – NFL teams leaking that they are not pursuing a specific asset – especially a 26-year old former league MVP who’s arguably done more with less than any other quarterback in the league the last five years.
The timing of the statements smells bad enough. What makes it worse is that these are exactly the teams that should be in the market for Jackson. With the lone exception of Miami they all missed the playoffs this past season and don’t have an established starter at quarterback going into 2023.
While the term may be difficult to prove in a court of law, many fans, analysts, beat reporters, players and agents were quick to point out the obvious: this looks, smells and sounds an awful lot like collusion.
At the very least, several current and former Seahawks players found it suspicious. Here’s what they’re tweeting about the situation.
FS Quandre Diggs
No way this is not collusion bro.. None of the teams with bad QB’s don’t even wanna talk to him about a deal? A MVP who is still in his prime? Yeah aight!
— Nino (@qdiggs6) March 8, 2023
LB Bobby Wagner
They up to something https://t.co/fV5n8ONcgw
— Bobby Wagner (@Bwagz) March 8, 2023
WR Tyler Lockett
That ain’t right at all https://t.co/LhqRPue2bf
— Tyler Lockett (@TDLockett12) March 8, 2023
CB Tre Brown
Damn what else Lamar gotta prove?
— Tre Brown (@T_Brown25) March 8, 2023
CB Richard Sherman
Exactly what it is! https://t.co/u5dYlebJ9y
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 8, 2023
This!!! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 https://t.co/djSN8QJA6D
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 8, 2023
