Lamar Jackson doesn't have the perfectly crafted, narrative story that fits the media, NFL and Baltimore Ravens motive. I know what you're thinking, wait, how so? See I'm going to break this down and it's going to shine light on a lot of things.
What I'm going to do is address this from a black quarterback standpoint so I will be using Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts as examples that will make this article more succinct in what I'm saying. If you're not ready to think, close this article now because I'm going to be brutally honest.
Let's start with two-time Superbowl champion Patrick Mahomes. He's done everything by the book. He's light-skinned, likeable, has the distinct groggy voice, has both parents in his life, his dad was a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He's one of the faces of the league, his face is everywhere, he has a myriad of endorsements, family man, it's what the NFL and media can use to push their narratives and agendas.
Moving onto Jalen Hurts. Once again, likeable, short cut hair, came from a two parent home where his father is involved in his life. Part of a fraternity from college, has an agent and team that are all women (a women's empowerment narrative) that the media can utilize. This is not my views, but speaking from a media standpoint. He's a guy the media can look to, to say the perfectly crafted soundbyte without offending anyone just like Patrick Mahomes.
Russell Wilson. I'm not going to delve into his play on the field this past year. We as football fans know so no need to go there. Let's look into his life. His married to a famous music artist, low cut hair, family man, no significant tattoos, all for the Lord and God, perfectly spoken, can eloquently speak his mind and once again not ruffle any feathers in the media. It's all good in Russell's neighborhood.
Now let's look at Lamar Jackson. Comes from a single parent home, his mother is his agent and he represents himself. He has braids, not the best spoken out of the quarterbacks, took no chances with his injury and didn't force himself to comeback to get hurt again (a mistake Lamar saw Robert Griffin III make and now he's in a booth calling college football games).
Lamar knows the ins and outs of the quarterback position, has won an MVP, has a great arm, can make plays with his feet. His play somehow hasn't garnered an extension and contract. Is he worth $250 million? I would say he is, especially since Deshaun Watson got a guaranteed contract after sitting out a whole year. Watson and Mahomes are in the same club as Jackson with a 96 passer rating and 100 touchdowns in their first 61 starts.
The problem with the NFL and GMs is they don't like when players go against the grain. Where players start learning the business. The league doesn't like when players represent themselves and don't give a percentage of their earnings to sports agents. There's the connections of the GMs and executives to the sports agents.
If you look at the quarterbacks I've mentioned, they all have agents, they have business managers and a team to work with the general managers and executives.
With the Baltimore Ravens placing Lamar Jackson on the non-exclusive franchise tag, it has opened the flood gates of conversation. Conversations on who's to blame for Lamar not getting his contract extension.
Do we blame the Cleveland Browns for giving Watson $250 million in guaranteed money that set the precedent for guaranteed contracts going forward? Are we penalizing Jackson for his injuries the past two seasons and preventing him from getting his new contract after winning MVP in 2019? Do we blame the Baltimore Ravens management and how they've handled this contract extension saga?
The next million dollar question is, are owners, GMs and executives colluding to keep from giving Lamar a big contract? I've pointed out that Lamar's story doesn't look good enough for teams. Can they go with a black man with braids who has no agent and is a businessman with his own mindset as their franchise quarterback? An answer I know most football fans know already.
From Doug Williams to Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham, Steve McNair, Vince Young and so many others who have come before Lamar and have dealt with the scrutiny and criticisms of the black quarterback, you would think by now, we've gotten past so many negative connotations of the pocket passing position. Sadly, when we make progression, we end up taking steps back because one decides to control his own narrative and story.
At this point, the Ravens and Jackson are in a game of chess. The question is, who's going to make the right move and call checkmate first? What I will say is, Lamar is still not hiring an agent, he's still going to control his narrative on his social media platforms (another thing the league and teams don't like) and find his way to a contract that fits and suits what will set him up for success financially going forward.
Time will tell what happens but I will say, Lamar should not expect any significant offers from teams until after the NFL draft. Sometimes success brings jealousy and weaker emotions. The system is not always meant to remain the same. What scares the people in power is, Lamar may influence others to do what he's doing and change is not always what they want or like.
Say what you want but Lamar Jackson is a talented quarterback and he does have to prove that he can win a Superbowl. But you've also gotta give him the pieces to allow him to continually flourish.
Good luck to NFL teams because Lamar is his own man and he will not cave into what you want him to be...let's also be mindful, there are more Lamar's in the NFL than Patrick's and Jalen's...
