NFL warns clubs not to negotia...

Lamar Jackson's pursuit of a new club, or at the very least a new contract, has taken an unusual turn. The NFL sent a message on Thursday urging its clubs not to negotiate with a man called Ken Francis, who purportedly contacted executives on behalf of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. The NFL claimed Francis is not permitted to function as Jackson's representative since he is not an NFLPA-certified agent. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Francis is a Florida guy who was pitching a home fitness product before representing Jackson in a nine-figure agreement.

Jackson disputed the report right away:

When approached by ESPN, Francis also denied contacting clubs for Jackson, adding, "I don't speak for Lamar."

However, less than an hour later, Jackson released a video in which he identified Francis as his business partner and himself utilizing his "The Entire Gym" creation, raising the idea that the two exploited the NFL as a marketing tactic. Their offering looks to be a collection of portable gym equipment carried in a luggage for mobile exercises.

Jackson has been notoriously negotiating his first long-term contract without the assistance of an agent in recent years. He has chosen to function as his own agent, depending on an intimate circle of relatives and advisers, as well as the NFL Players Association.

The process hasn't gone smoothly, especially if you ask genuine, licensed NFL agents. Whether or whether Jackson employed Francis as a representative, the fact that the NFL felt the need to alert every team about this shows how far this issue has devolved.

Lamar Jackson's negotiations with other teams have been slow-moving

Because the Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson earlier this month, he is free to contact other clubs in search of a long-term contract. If he signs an offer sheet somewhere, the Ravens have the option of either taking over the deal or receiving two first-round draft selections from the other club.

While many clubs' supporters salivated at the prospect of acquiring Jackson, the actual market proved to be cooler than imagined. Several potential suitors were swiftly rumored to be uninterested, and the temperature has not risen significantly since.

If no club is ready to give Jackson what he believes he is worth, his alternatives are to sign a deal anyhow (with or without the Ravens), play on the franchise tag and reach free agency again next year (though the Ravens might tag him again), or hold out and retire.

Here's the NFL's memo to teams about Lamar Jackson and Ken Francis

The NFLPA has informed us that a man named Ken Francis, who is not an NFLPA certified agent, may be contacting Clubs and attempting to persuade Club personnel to enter into negotiations with or about Lamar Jackson, who is currently under a Nonexclusive Franchise Tender with the Baltimore Ravens.

Mr. Francis is forbidden as an uncertified person from negotiating Offer Sheets or Player Contracts, discussing potential trades on behalf of any NFL player or prospective player, or helping or advising with respect to such discussions.

Lubs are reminded that an Offer Sheet, which may result in an NFL Player Contract, may only be negotiated with the player, if he is operating on his own behalf, or with the player's NFLPA licensed agency, according to Article 48 of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement. To be clear, Mr. Jackson does not currently have an NFLPA-certified agent.

Any violation of this regulation may result in the rejection of any Offer Sheet or subsequent Player Contract entered into between Mr. Jackson and the new Club.