The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has reportedly filed a grievance alleging that the NFL engaged in collusion concerning guaranteed contracts, and this claim is still ongoing.

Amid Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s exceptional performance, being considered a top contender for the league MVP, attention has turned toward discussions about collusion among NFL team owners.

Against this backdrop, Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk reported on Thursday that the NFL Players Association’s grievance, filed back in November 2022, is still unresolved. The NFLPA’s claim suggests that teams reacted to the Cleveland Browns’ decision to offer Deshaun Watson a fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract by agreeing not to provide similar guaranteed contracts to “certain quarterbacks” in the future.

Typically, such groundbreaking contracts set benchmarks for upcoming negotiations involving comparable players at similar positions.

In essence, this situation implies that contracts for high-profile quarterbacks might have inclined toward being fully guaranteed following Deshaun Watson’s deal with the Browns. However, alleged agreements among teams to restrict offering such contracts beyond the terms specified in the collective bargaining agreement could hinder this progression in the free market for players.

Kalyn Kahler from The Athletic reported in November 2022 that NFL general counsel Jeff Pash sent a memo to all teams notifying them of the NFLPA’s claim, alleging an ongoing collusion regarding fully guaranteed contracts.

The NFLPA had anticipated that fully guaranteed contracts would become the standard competition-driven practice for top-league players, including quarterbacks, in their negotiations for new contracts. However, they also claimed that “before, during, and after” league ownership meetings in that year, there were discussions among “NFL owners and/or League executives” about abstaining from agreeing to additional player contracts with fully guaranteed salaries.

This grievance, filed over a year ago, remains unresolved.

Regarding Lamar Jackson, the Ravens utilized the nonexclusive franchise tag on him in the recent offseason. Quarterback-needy teams had the opportunity to make an offer for Jackson and acquire him for a price along with two first-round draft picks if Baltimore opted not to match it.

While surrendering two first-round picks holds significance, considering Jackson’s status as one of the league’s premier players at just 26 years old, it might seem reasonable for teams to consider paying that price for him. However, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, in response to a comment from NFL Network’s Rich Eisen, no team approached the Ravens regarding such a move:

Florio contended that the lack of interest in Lamar Jackson by other teams “was strongly influenced by ownership’s evident collusion affecting players, coaches, and various other personnel.”

Undoubtedly, some teams might now regret not being more proactive in pursuing Jackson.

Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens hold the best record in the NFL at 12-3, and he’s strongly positioned for a potential second MVP award. He has posted impressive stats, completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 3,357 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Additionally, he has contributed 786 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

Based on his production, acquiring Jackson likely would have been considered worth the investment of two first-round picks.