JJ Watt, Ryan Clark and Robert Griffin III suggest NFL teams are colluding against Lamar Jackson

Multiple current and former NFL players, as well as well-known members of the football media, have questioned why so many teams have been quick to announce that they are not interested in going after Lamar Jackson, with some also accusing the collusion franchises against the 26-year-old. old quarterback.

The Baltimore Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson on Tuesday after the two sides were unable to agree to a long-term contract extension after two years of negotiations.

Following the start of free agency, Jackson will now be able to talk to other teams and potentially sign an offer sheet that the Baltimore Ravens will have a week to match if they wish to retain his services. If they choose not to match the offer sheet, the team will send two first-round picks to Baltimore in exchange for signing Jackson.

Quarterbacks of Jackson’s pedigree are often unavailable, whether through trade or free agency, as the former MVP is entering the prime of his career and is only set to get better.

This makes it all the more surprising that several teams, including the Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders, Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers, and Miami Dolphins, have already announced that they have no interest in pursuing Jackson.

In particular, the five teams are said to have doubts in the quarterback position, making their decisions even more questionable.

Former NFL stars Robert Griffin II, JJ Watt and Ryan Clark questioned the motives behind the franchises’ decisions.

“This disrespect from Lamar Jackson is OUTRAGEOUS,” said former NFL QB turned ESPN analyst Griffin III.

‘Lamar Jackson is a unanimous MVP, has led the NFL in touchdown passes, is 26 years old, is 45-16 as a starter and every team in need of a QB says they’re not interested. It doesn’t smell good to me.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety turned ESPN analyst Clark also tweeted: “We live in a world where Daniel Jones’ current salary is higher than Lamar Jackson’s.”

‘So a former league MVP, fourth in overall wins since entering the league, entering his fifth year and the same age as incoming rookie Stetson Bennett is free to trade… but all these teams know before they talk to him are you good? Yes, of course, there is no collusion!

Recently retired All-Pro defensive end JJ Watt also tweeted: ‘Why are all these teams so publicly “out” on Lamar Jackson, a prime MVP winner at the most important position in the entire NFL? ‘

‘What am i missing here?’

Former Steeler turned CBS analyst Bryant McFadden chimed in: “The owners are trying hard not to allow another type of D. Watson contract.”

Former players weren’t the only ones who took to social media to voice their concerns about the way Jackson is being tweeted, as current players weighed in on the situation as well.

‘So you’re sitting here and trying to tell me that there’s no NFL team that’s interested in even trying to negotiate a contract with Lamar Jackson? It hurts a team to have no dialogue. This is not right,’ said safety Tony Jefferson, who spent two different seasons with the Ravens and most recently played for the New York Giants.

Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker responded to a tweet on the matter by saying, “MVP lol…another Bruh got paid today and he’s family trash.”

Like Clark, Brisker referred to Daniel Jones as the ‘Bruh’ who got paid.

The New York Giants agreed to a four-year, $160 million contract with quarterback Jones on Tuesday.

According to ESPN, Jackson wants a full guarantee like the $230 million, five-year guarantee given to Deshaun Watson last year.

Watson received an 11-game suspension by the league after being accused of sexual misconduct by two dozen women while playing for the Houston Texans.

Past and current players weren’t the only ones to note the rarity of teams announcing so quickly that they weren’t interested in a player as talented as Jackson.

NFL reporter Ari Meirov tweeted: “All these teams letting it be known they won’t be chasing Lamar Jackson is so weird.”

‘Especially those teams that don’t have a QB1 on the list. It costs nothing to talk to him.

NFL insider Josina Anderson said: “The unprecedented rush of multiple teams publicly saying they are not interested in QB Lamar Jackson may create more questions than make a statement.”

‘Hey @Lj_era8 keep your head up!’

NBC’s Pro Football Talk even posted a tweet on the matter stating: ‘NFL teams spend countless hours doing due diligence on every available player at every possible position. They flip each rock. They look in all the nooks and crannies. And now a former league MVP is available and they just say, “We’re good.” Stinks.

As McFadden noted earlier, many NFL owners, including Ravens owners, have wanted to avoid handing over another fully guaranteed contract that the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson last offseason.

Jackson has pushed for the fully guaranteed deal, seeing it as a new precedent and has been encouraged by the NFL PA to do so as well.

The NFL PA is also said to be keeping a close eye on how Jackson’s contract plays out as they are also said to be concerned about the collision against him.

“Regarding this: I spoke to NFLPA sources and they are closely monitoring the Lamar situation for that very reason,” Trey Wingo tweeted about possible collusion. ‘Regarding the C word “there’s a constant concern about that.”‘