NFL’s Secret Collusion Exposed: How the League Silenced Quarterbacks and Rigged Contracts

In the high-stakes world of the NFL, contracts are king.

But what happens when the very system designed to negotiate and protect players’ rights is rigged against them?

The recent revelation of a massive collusion scandal within the NFL exposes a disturbing reality: the league’s owners and management council actively conspired to prevent players from receiving fully guaranteed contracts—after Deshaun Watson’s unprecedented $230 million fully guaranteed deal shook the sports world.

Watson’s contract, the largest fully guaranteed contract in NFL history, was supposed to set a new standard for player compensation.

Instead, it became the catalyst for a covert campaign by NFL owners to clamp down on guaranteed money.

Players like Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray—each arguably more talented and less controversial than Watson—were handed deals with significantly less guaranteed money.

The discrepancy raised eyebrows and fueled suspicions of collusion.

Thanks to investigative work by Pablo Torre and Mike Florio, a 60-page document was unearthed, revealing the NFL Management Council’s efforts at the March 2022 owners meeting to actively discourage teams from offering large guarantees in contracts.

This council, operating almost like a shadowy cabal, coordinated with Commissioner Roger Goodell to ensure no repeat of Watson’s “mistake.”

The NFL Management Council, a nonprofit entity representing team owners in contract negotiations, is supposed to uphold the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Instead, it appears to have functioned as a tool for owners to suppress player earnings, operating behind closed doors and away from public scrutiny.

What makes this scandal particularly galling is the NFL Players Association’s (NFLPA) apparent failure to protect its members.

Despite their mandate to fight for player rights, the NFLPA not only failed to secure fully guaranteed contracts during recent negotiations but also reportedly colluded with the league to keep these damning findings under wraps.

This betrayal has left many players feeling unrepresented and powerless.

The grievance filed by players following Watson’s contract argued that the league’s actions constituted collusion—a coordinated effort to limit player earnings.

While the arbitrator acknowledged that the NFL Management Council encouraged teams to reduce guarantees, the league ultimately “won” the grievance.

The ruling hinged on the inability to conclusively prove that teams acted on the advice, despite clear evidence of coordination.

This legal outcome left players in a bind: the league was found to have engaged in unethical conduct but faced no penalties, and the practice of limiting guaranteed money continues.

The ruling effectively told nearly one-third of NFL players that they do not deserve fully guaranteed contracts—an eye-opening indictment of the league’s priorities.

The fallout extends beyond just contract figures.

Players like Lamar Jackson, despite being an MVP-caliber quarterback, struggled to secure a fully guaranteed deal.

His negotiations were further complicated by communication issues and the lack of an agent, underscoring how the system disadvantages even the best talent without proper representation.

Meanwhile, the league’s owners celebrated the ability to keep guaranteed money low, citing concerns about roster flexibility and financial management.

Owners like Steve Bisciotti of the Ravens openly admitted regret over Watson’s contract, fearing it set a precedent that could handcuff teams financially.

The scandal also reveals internal dysfunction within the NFLPA.

The process to select a new executive director was criticized for being secretive and undemocratic, resulting in the appointment of Lloyd Howell, a figure with a contentious background involving procurement fraud.

This leadership shakeup raises questions about the union’s ability to effectively advocate for players.

Perhaps most damning are the private communications used as evidence, including disparaging remarks about players like Russell Wilson by former NFLPA president JC Tretter.

These texts not only undermined player solidarity but were weaponized by owners to justify limiting guarantees.

From a fan’s perspective, this collusion scandal exposes the tension between player welfare and team success.

Fully guaranteed contracts would provide players with financial security but could also restrict teams’ ability to manage salary caps and avoid long-term burdens from underperforming players.

Some suggest solutions like an amnesty clause, similar to the NBA’s system, allowing teams to release players without cap penalties while still paying out contracts over time.

This could encourage more guaranteed deals without crippling franchises financially.

However, such measures might favor wealthy owners, exacerbating existing inequalities within the league.

Ultimately, this scandal shines a harsh light on the NFL’s business practices.

It reveals a league willing to prioritize control and profit over fairness and transparency, manipulating contracts to maintain power over its players.

Despite the vast sums involved and the high-profile nature of the players affected, the league has managed to keep much of this scandal under wraps, leaving fans and players alike questioning who truly holds the power in professional football.

As the NFL moves forward, the pressure mounts on both the league and the NFLPA to address these systemic issues.

Players demand fair compensation and security, while owners seek competitive balance and financial prudence.

Until these competing interests find a genuine resolution, the shadow of collusion will continue to loom over the sport.

In the end, the NFL’s big collusion scandal isn’t just about money—it’s about trust, integrity, and the very future of the game.

Because in a league where contracts are king, it turns out the real game is played behind closed doors, where fairness is optional and power is absolute.