As we sit and wait for the results of Lamar Jackson's contract situation, could the course of NFL contracts change forever?
Star Quarterback Lamar Jackson is out in the open market after the Ravens placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on him. It’s reported that he allegedly is seeking a contract upwards of $200 million dollars fully guaranteed. Although the market seems dull as several teams have openly said they are not interested in Lamar, if he manages to get what he’s asking for, it could possibly change the landscape and structuring of future NFL contracts when it comes to guaranteed money, because all it takes is one team to take the chance with Lamar in the same way the Cleveland Browns did for Deshuan Watson.
As we know, the NFL is an extremely physical sport, in which injuries are inevitable, and for that reason, owners have made sure to protect themselves by not giving out fully guaranteed contracts, but that changed last offseason, when the Browns gave Deshuan Watson a fully guaranteed contract of $231 million dollars.
It’s clear that owners weren’t happy with the Browns ownership for doing that deal, but they’ve made it clear to the market, that the deal Deshuan signed is a outlier and shouldn’t apply to everyone in the market, but if Lamar also manages to sign a fully guaranteed contract, then it starts to become a trend and the course of contract construction could be on a course to shift forever, in favor of the players.