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Lamar Jackson is unquestionably one of the NFL’s most electric players.
But as we get deeper and deeper into the NFL offseason, the questions about Jackson’s future only become more and more abundant.
The Ravens inked Jackson to the non-exclusive franchise tag before free agency began. That meant that other teams could offer him a contract, but they would need to send multiple first-round draft picks to Baltimore if Jackson were to agree.
The controversy stems from the Ravens and Jackson, who does not have an agent, failing to agree to a long-term deal. The latest reports state that the 2019 NFL MVP is now ready to continue his career elsewhere. But Baltimore still holds all the cards, at least for the 2023 season.
However, things took their weirdest turn yet on Thursday with the introduction of a new player to the game.
Lamar Jackson Contract Situation Made Murkier By Introduction Of Ken Francis
Enter Ken Francis.
Who is Ken Francis? Good question!
Francis is a Miami man who has allegedly been contacting NFL teams in hopes of drumming up a market for Jackson.
Here’s the full memo from the NFL Management Council warning teams not to negotiate with a man named Ken Francis about Lamar Jackson.
“Violation of this rule may result in disapproval of any Offer Sheet or resulting. Player Contract entered into by Mr. Jackson and the new Club.” pic.twitter.com/v0ibYCfl2J
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 23, 2023
The problem, however, is that Francis is not an NFLPA certified agent. This means that teams are strictly prohibited from entering negotiations with him regarding Jackson.
“As an uncertified person, Mr. Francis is prohibited from negotiating Offer Sheets or Player Contracts, or discussing potential trades on behalf of any NFL player or prospective player or assisting in or advising with respect to such negotiations,” an NFL memo to all 32 teams read.
Francis has since told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that he has not been representing Jackson. While Jackson also denied any association with the man, sending out a tweet that read “stop lying, that man never tired to negotiate for me.”
Stop Lying that man never tried to negotiate for me 🤣🤣 https://t.co/DIMXtxOAnR
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 23, 2023
Francis told Fowler that he’s a business partner with Jackson on “portable gym equipment” but that he has had no hand in Jackson’s NFL matters.
It’s just another wild twist in a story that seemingly has no end.