Insiders brush off collusion claims on Ravens' Lamar Jackson

Not everyone is convinced NFL owners are colluding against Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson as the new league year approaches. 

The NFL Players Association reportedly is keeping an eye on the situation after word leaked the Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders won't pursue Jackson now that the Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag to retain his rights for 2023. 

"I wouldn't read into that yet. Things can change,” former NFL general manager and current analyst Mike Tannenbaum told Jamison Hensley of ESPN. "Maybe a team like Tennessee, who doesn't need a quarterback today, needs one, or maybe it's Tampa Bay. Who knows? A lot can happen between now and [July 17].”

Tannenbaum isn't alone. 

"Some of these teams, Atlanta and Miami and some others, they have to say publicly that they’re not interested," an unnamed agent told Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. "They have to say it. If you’re Miami and you think Lamar is an upgrade, you can’t go after him publicly and sign him to an offer sheet and then when the Ravens match it, turn around and say, 'Hey, Tua [Tagovailoa], we really love you.'" 

It's widely believed Jackson wants to land a contract similar to the fully guaranteed five-year, $230M deal the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson last offseason. Under the non-exclusive franchise tag, Jackson can begin negotiating with other clubs next Wednesday. Baltimore then can match any offer or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation for his services. 

"Lamar Jackson has missed one-third of his games in the last two years," a different agent said to Robinson. "And he is a player where the indication has been very clear that he’s expecting the biggest contract in NFL history and for it to be fully guaranteed. That expectation takes your fraternity of 31 owners down to maybe none." 

Per Michael Lingard of IHeartRadio, Fox Sports Radio personality Doug Gottlieb also scoffed at the idea of owners working together to ensure Jackson doesn't get at least $230M in fully guaranteed cash. 

It's possible a team such as the New York Jets could swoop in for Jackson as soon as next week. Perhaps it's more likely the Ravens are merely letting the open market determine Jackson's worth as it pertains to a contract and the salary cap. Whatever happens, all would do well to remember no team "wanting" Jackson today isn't the same as clubs actually not wanting him come July.