Raven Country

Lamar Jackson is 'Desperate,' Claims Shannon Sharpe of Ravens QB

"This looks like desperation to me,'' Shannon Sharpe says of Lamar Jackson's position with the Ravens. "You don't have an agent ... If you had an agent you can go through back channels (to measure the trade market).''

Mike Fisher

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is in need of a certain type of advice, insists former All-Pro player turned broadcaster Shannon Sharpe.

And so Sharpe is here to offer some advice ... kinda.

"This looks like desperation to me,'' said Sharpe of Jackson's efforts to try to get an upgrade or an offer or anything at all beyond the Ravens' existing franchise tag. 

On Wednesday's edition of FS1's Undisputed, Sharpe addressed the report that Jackson is asking reps from outside the NFL Players Association to reach out to NFL teams on his behalf. That's not helping ... and it's also "frowned upon.'' ...

And Sharpe said that the move from Jackson shows "signs of desperation" as he tries to get a deal without hiring an agent.

"This looks like desperation to me,'' Sharpe said. "You don't have an agent ... If you had an agent you can go through back channels (to measure the trade market). Last year the NFL specifically instructed teams not to negotiate with representatives not certified by the NFLPA ... This is why (Jackson needs an agent).''

We've engaged in this debate before. Jackson is free to do his business as he sees fit, but he's presently in a tough spot with the Ravens having placed the less expensive, non-exclusive franchise tag on him. His "back channels'' cannot match those of a reputable again, and in the court of public opinion, Lamar himself is absorbing some abuse (while allegedly at one point seeking upwards of $200 million fully guaranteed) when in a more customary setup, his agent would be playing "the bad guy.''

Word has leaked that Lamar would like to "move on'' from Baltimore - and that's his business, too. But whomever did the leaking must not understand that he can't "move on'' without receiving an offer sheet from any other NFL team - teams that seem to be making it clear they have no plan to make an offer (while prepping to trade two first-round picks) because they assume the Ravens will simply match the offer and retain the player.

All things considered? As unusual as Jackson's situation is, maybe both sides have reason to be "desperate'' ... which is sometimes how these conflicts get resolved.

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Mike Fisher
MIKE FISHER

Mike Fisher - as a newspaper beat writer and columnist and on radio and TV, where he is an Emmy winner - has covered the NFL since 1983. He is the author of two best-selling books on the NFL.

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