NFL Collusion Ruling Exposes Lamar Jackson’s Phone Issues, Secret Contract Details With Ravens

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is coming off a career-best season in 2024, setting personal records for passing yards (4,172), passing touchdowns (41), and quarterback rating (119.6). This put Jackson solidly in contention for the NFL MVP Award.

While Jackson lost out on MVP status to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, there is no doubt about his value to the Ravens. With three years remaining on his current contract, there is little doubt Jackson and the team are already thinking about future negotiations. Shocking new details have emerged about Jackson’s last contract negotiations that could have implications for the future.

NFL Collusion Ruling Reveals Lamar Jackson’s Contract Standoff Details

In 2023, Jackson entered into negotiations with the Ravens as his rookie deal expired. That contract, which was for five years and $260 million, with $185 million guaranteed, made Jackson the highest-paid player in the NFL at the time. The deal took about two years to finalize and was inked just hours before the NFL Draft.

Now, a 61-page ruling has emerged that shows evidence that the NFL encouraged teams to collude. In that report, there are details about Jackson’s last negotiation with the Ravens.

Baltimore’s difficulties in negotiating with Jackson were amplified by the fact that the two-time MVP represents himself, meaning he does not have an agent.

DETAILS: Lamar Jackson’s contract is a 5-year deal worth $260M with $185M guaranteed.

Effectively making him the highest paid player in the history of the league. pic.twitter.com/PIbfwH5g9C

— Ravens Nation 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀 (@LIVERavenNation) April 27, 2023

According to NBC Sports, Eric DeCosta, the Ravens’ general manager, stated that they also experienced technical difficulties. “‘Mr. Jackson said that the microphone on his phone was not working, making communications with Mr. DeCosta difficult,’ the ruling explained on page 30.”

“Whether that was true or simply an avoidance technique is open for interpretation,” wrote NBC insider Mike Florio.

According to Florio, Jackson was demanding a fully guaranteed contract. In a text to DeCosta, Jackson demanded one, “I’m going to continue to request a FULLY GUARANTEED contract, I understand you all DON’T and that’s fine.”

The Ravens reportedly offered Jackson two different deals after the 2022 season. Those were deals the team felt were fully guaranteed, but Jackson turned them down and asked for a trade.

DeCosta asked Jackson to submit a list of acceptable trade partners, but he never gave them a list.

“Only a couple of teams expressed an interest in Jackson before the non-exclusive franchise tag was applied by the Ravens. After the application, no team reached out directly to Jackson,” added Florio.

Contract Resolution Came Down to Draft Night

The two sides were deadlocked, with the team believing Jackson would decline any offer they made and Jackson wanting out. It finally resolved as the draft drew near.

Florio said the document reported: “Mr. DeCosta was preparing for the 2023 draft in April 2023 under the assumption that Mr. Jackson would no longer be playing for the Ravens, but on the eve of the draft, sent Mr. Jackson a new offer…. Much to Mr. DeCosta’s surprise, Mr. Jackson quickly accepted it.”

While this may seem like old news, Florio notes that it could have a bearing on their impending negotiations. He expects that Jackson, who still does not employ an agent, will once again insist on a fully guaranteed contract.

The team may find him even more adamant, given that he was the NFL MVP in 2023, and many believe he should have been in 2024 after leading the Ravens to a 12-5 record and becoming the first player in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 800 yards in a single season.