Agents also weighed in on the possibility of Saudi Arabian investment in the NFL, Lamar Jackson's contract and ... Lionel Messi?
theathletic.com
The Athletic’s fifth annual NFL Agent Survey provided a forum for 23 certified agents to vent on numerous league-wide matters. Some
participated in
previous surveys. Nearly a third bring fresh perspectives. This diverse group represents hundreds of players — Super Bowl MVPs, Pro Bowl selections, franchise quarterbacks, practice-squad hopefuls and 17 first-round selections over the past three years.
Granted anonymity to speak freely, these agents offered frank views about the running back market drying up, the league’s most unstable franchises and whether the NFL should ever allow international entities to own a franchise. They also dished on general managers, Roger Goodell’s future,
Aaron Rodgers,
Jonathan Taylor,
Lamar Jackson and … Lionel Messi.
Interviews were conducted throughout the summer. Participants received follow-up calls or new questions as stories developed.
[ I will post some of the more interesting things here]
• “This should have been in the CBA. Whether a lack of vision or oversight or indifference, it’s not there. If Saquon Barkley and
Jonathan Taylor can’t get paid …”
“There’s no fix. Money is being spent, just not on them.”
Note: None of the agents suggested there is collusion happening.
• “This doesn’t look good for the owner (Jim Irsay). The market talks, and it’s ghosting the running backs. I stopped recruiting them a while ago. There are special players, but one knee injury can ruin a career. But the owner isn’t winning over the locker room with his childish social media talk.”
• “Taylor does not have any leverage. But the
Colts’ owner should get out of the way and let his GM handle it.”
• “If (Irsay) had kept his thoughts to himself, Taylor likely stays and plays. Instead, Irsay ruined it and gave Taylor an easy reason to demand a trade. Why not take it since that franchise is not showing a ton of promise?”
What are your thoughts on Lamar Jackson’s contract extension and how he got there with the Ravens despite no formal agent?
• “Missed opportunity for everyone here. He had a chance to get what Watson got with guaranteed money if he pushed more. He got a great deal and good for him, but Watson and (Kirk) Cousins remain outliers rather than trendsetters.”
• “Cool that he got the deal complete without an agent. However, he left money on the table by waiting a year,
unlike Justin Herbert. Lamar saved on fees but lost money.”
• “Give him credit. He got a great contract. Baltimore kind of caved. Once Hurts went, Baltimore could easily justify the terms. Make no mistake: If Baltimore could have gotten another quarterback, they would have. He’s a tremendous athlete but runs hot and cold as a passer and gets hurt. The frustration is he didn’t fight through injuries. He also might be the most explosive player with the ball in his hand. They were stuck. Lamar hung in there throughout the whole process. You can make the case a traditional agent gets the cash flow a year ago, but he got there. Shows what leverage can do.”
What do you make of Aaron Rodgers pushing for the Jets at the end of his saga with the Packers and in the name of player empowerment?
• “Hey, Lamar Jackson couldn’t pull it off.”
• “
Rodgers took a pay cut (with the
Jets) out of spite (for the Packers). It’s important for him to have a voice/say in team matters. The Packers wouldn’t, at least in his view, but the Jets did.”
• “Actual player empowerment is rare, but it happens and happens beyond the quarterback room. What you’ll notice is that they probably have good representation. They definitely had great internal fortitude. Most importantly, they are or were special players like Darrelle Revis,
Khalil Mack,
Jalen Ramsey and others. Guys that had the guts to hold out or force a trade to get proper money.”
In 2010, top QBs were making $20 million annually. Now it’s $52.5 million. When will someone hit $100 million? Will this rise slow at least somewhat?
• “We’ll get to $75 million in the next four to five years and $100 million by ‘29-30. People can dismiss that idea, but it will happen sooner than later with the way the cap is rising.”
• “There’s a very strong argument that it’s actually being held down a little bit artificially now by the tag and some previously signed deals. The top guys are averaging $50 million per year whether they’ve been deep into the playoffs or not.
I think the argument should be made that there’s an owner out there — if not 10 — that gives an unrestricted free-agent Patrick Mahomes a three-year, $300 million fully guaranteed deal. Look what he means to a franchise. Think about the perception of the
Chiefs before he emerged.
That’s why so many GMs are clandestinely sucking for Caleb Williams. They look at the arm angles, arm strength, the ability to throw off the back foot and they’re like, ‘Maybe that’s the next Mahomes.’ How else are you going to get a guy like that?”
• “The salary cap keeps going up by 8-10 percent every year, so why wouldn’t QB salaries keep rising? The actual dollar figures don’t mean anything to me. It’s all about the percentage of the cap. … I think the NFL will never let a team do a contract tied to the percentage of the cap, but I think it is the way we need to look at these quarterback contracts. … The only way to create that kind of leverage for other great players is to get to the open market. The problem is we have this silly franchise tag provision. I wish the franchise tag provision was only one year.
Which franchise is the most unstable now?
Cardinals 9 votes, Colts 4 votes, Texans 3 votes, Commanders 2 votes, Cowboys-Jets-Raiders 1 vote each.
• “(The
Cardinals) have stable owners, but the franchise’s mentality and financial plan aren’t sound. Now on a path to not-win to dump
Kyler Murray and position itself for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft for Caleb Williams. The organization hasn’t been good even when posting positive records.”
• “Had a client considering signing there. He checked with a friend on the team and was told, ‘Don’t come here.’ The
Kyler contract.
GM resigns.
Accusations against the owner. Maybe the new GM and coach change things. Maybe.”
• “I’ve been so brainwashed to think of
Washington so I can’t think of anyone easily. Oh, the Colts. The things Irsay says make it tough on Ballard and the staff.”
• “
Cowboys. Nepotism at its finest. I know they’re a valuable franchise, and they have a good quarterback and they win games, but they’re very poorly run.”
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