Former NFL execs split on Ravens' Lamar Jackson not using an agent

Some former NFL executives disagree about Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson continuing to negotiate a new contract without an agent.

"I do think it's being overblown, and I actually think so far it's served him well," Joe Banner, who previously worked as an executive with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns, told ESPN's Jamison Hensley for a piece published Wednesday. 

The Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag to retain Jackson's rights for 2023 last week. Jackson can legally begin negotiating with other teams when the new NFL year opens on Wednesday afternoon, and Baltimore would then have five days to match any offer or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation for his services. 

It's widely believed Jackson wants to secure a contract similar to the fully guaranteed five-year, $230M deal the Browns gave Deshaun Watson last March. While some have openly suggested NFL owners are colluding against giving Jackson or any players fully guaranteed contracts after Cleveland's actions in 2022, others are quick to point out the 26-year-old has missed a total of 11 games (playoffs included) since Week 1 of the 2021 season due to injury issues. 

"Do you trust he'll stay healthy? Are you willing to agree to the terms that he's made a priority? You have got to be able to say yes to all of those questions as opposed to just some of his questions -- or you should just find some other solution to your quarterback problem," Banner added during his comments. 

Meanwhile, former NFL general manager Randy Mueller, who currently serves as the director of player personnel for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL, thinks Jackson may have made the situation unnecessarily unique by working without an agent. 

"It's definitely unorthodox," Mueller explained. "It doesn't mean it can't happen, but it sure complicates things."

As recently as Tuesday, individuals such as Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted that Jackson seemingly has made it clear "he won’t be changing course on not hiring an agent." Mueller admitted he'd feel a bit turned off about a player not having official representation for contract talks. 

"It would be in the back of my mind for sure, because it is a long, hard, arduous road to get to consummating a deal," Mueller continued. "I would do right by whatever the team wants and by the player, but it's just a lot of bridges that you'd have to cross that normally you would not in a really hectic time for decision-makers."

It's possible the Ravens want other teams to set the market for Jackson and that Baltimore will match any deal he accepts this spring or summer. For what it is worth, an NFL Players Association source insisted to Hensley that the union will offer Jackson a helping hand and review a contract even though it cannot speak directly to teams and negotiate on his behalf.