If a non-certified agent is negotiating for Lamar Jackson, it apparently isn’t because the quarterback told him to.
Jackson is free to negotiate with other teams since he received the non-exclusive franchise tag from the Baltimore Ravens this offseason. Because Jackson represents himself, teams can only negotiate with the quarterback directly. His market has been oddly quiet, but a report emerged that someone was reaching out to teams on Jackson's behalf.
A memo sent to teams Thursday confirmed that report, pointing to a man named Ken Francis. He is not a certified agent -- in fact, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero said he “is a Florida man who most recently was pitching a home fitness invention.”
“The NFLPA has informed us that a person by the name of Ken Francis, who is not an NFLPA certified agent, may be contacting Clubs and attempting to persuade Club personnel to enter into negotiations with or concerning Lamar Jackson,” the memo said in part.
When Jackson caught wind of the news, he was quick to deny it.
Speaking to ESPN, Francis himself also denied contacting teams on Jackson's behalf.
If Jackson ends up returning to the Ravens, he’ll make $32.4 million in the upcoming season and hit free agency again next year. If he signs an offer sheet with another team, Baltimore has a chance to either match it or let Jackson walk, in which case they’d receive two first-round picks in return.
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