Lamar Jackson's NFL future has taken a bizarre twist as his search for a team to play for in the upcoming season has seen the league notifying all teams of suspicious activity.
A free agent at the start of the off-season, the Baltimore Ravens superstar was signed to a non-exclusive franchise tag. This means that while Jackson is technically a Ravens player but he is free to discuss a deal with other teams. The Ravens do have the opportunity to match any offer that he is given elsewhere.
If Baltimore chooses not to match an offer, Jackson would join that team, and they would send two first-round picks as compensation. Reports have suggested that Jackson is looking to move on from the team, after failing to agree a long-term deal with the franchise.
But Jackson has yet to receive any offer from teams in the league. The 26-year-old has essentially been waiting for another team to offer him a long-term deal, with a number of teams said to have been interested but nothing yet materialising.
And on Thursday, the NFL sent out a letter to all 32 teams to notify them that an individual who is not certified by the NFLPA might be attempting to persuade team personnel to enter into contract negotiations with Jackson.
League rules state that teams may only speak to the agent of Jackson - who represents himself, and therefore anyone speaking to teams on his behalf would violate regulations.
NFL reporter Tom Pelissero tweeted the letter which was sent out, stating a Florida man named Ken Francis might be attempting to contact teams.
The memo read: "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."
Pelisseo added that Francis had attempted to reach out to teams, but they had pushed back on speaking to him as his not an accredited agent.
The tweet read: "Ken Francis is a Florida man who most recently was pitching a home fitness invention, I’m told. He now is trying to negotiate a nine-figure contract with NFL teams, who are being told they’re not allowed to negotiate with him because he’s not a certified agent."
Jackson has already responded to the allegations, saying: "Stop Lying that man never tried to negotiate for me."
This is the second time that Jackson has hit out on social media in regards to his future within the past few weeks, after he responded to those who suggested he has mismanaged his off-season decisions.
Should Jackson not receive any offer from another team, he would be contracted to play for the Ravens for $32 million - a figure much below that of which he'd be expecting.
