By The Lamar Jackson saga took an extremely strange turn on Thursday. The NFL sent a memo about someone by the name of Ken Francis contacting teams on behalf of the former MVP.
The Ravens placed their non-exclusive franchise tag on star quarterback Lamar Jackson. This means that other teams are free to negotiate with Jackson, but no suitors have emerged to this point.
Jackson has been criticized through this process due to not having an agent throughout the negotiation process. It now appears that someone is now reaching out to NFL teams for him.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafalo reported on Thursday that NFL teams were issued a memo from the league stating that someone named Ken Francis “may be contacting clubs” to enter negotiations “with or concerning” Lamar Jackson.
NFL teams were notified by the league via memo today a person named Ken Francis “may be contacting Clubs … to enter into negotiations with or concerning Lamar Jackson.” Teams are prohibited from negotiating with Francis, who is not an NFLPA certified agent.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 23, 2023
It’s unclear whether this is someone Jackson prompted to contact these teams, or if Ken Francis is doing this on his own. Regardless, teams are prohibited from talking with him because he is not an NFLPA-certified agent.
Tom Pellissero of NFL Network posted the full memo on Twitter. Those who violate this could have their potential offer sheet for Jackson denied by the league.
Here’s the full memo from the NFL Management Council warning teams not to negotiate with a man named Ken Francis about Lamar Jackson.
“Violation of this rule may result in disapproval of any Offer Sheet or resulting. Player Contract entered into by Mr. Jackson and the new Club.” pic.twitter.com/v0ibYCfl2J
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 23, 2023
Many around the NFL world took notice of this development around Jackson and are very curious about who Ken Francis is.
Did Ken Francis go to Bishop Sycamore by chance? https://t.co/E3cVanEDam
— Rocco DiSangro (@RoccoDiSangro) March 23, 2023
“Ken Francis” pic.twitter.com/UH0sFWnusy
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) March 23, 2023
How many accounts linked to the name “Ken Francis” are being bombarded right now?
— Neal Coolong (@NealCoolong) March 23, 2023
“Ken Francis” acting on his own or is he known to Lamar Jackson? Not specified in the memo. This is….odd 🏈@wjz @WJZ13sports https://t.co/EolnCL80PI
— Mark Viviano (@MarkWJZ) March 23, 2023
Ken Francis has entered the building!!!!!! https://t.co/mCoJDOjQuS
— Pete Hoffman (@TheHoffWFAN) March 23, 2023
“Ken Francis here. I’ve take the liberty of drawing up a few basic contract structures for my client Lamar. And if you just put your name on that dotted line, you’ll have yourself one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.” https://t.co/YN4T6QrnWR pic.twitter.com/4vjSH816TM
— Nick Stellini (@StelliniTweets) March 23, 2023
There was already seemingly low interest around the NFL to meet Jackson’s contract demands. This certainly will not help things for those potentially interested in signing him.
It appears very clear that we will not only learn more about this Ken Francis person, but that the Lamar Jackson saga will likely continue for quite some time.
[Mike Garafalo on Twitter, Tom Pellisero on Twitter]
