Panel: NFL talked collusion in '22, but not enough evidence it happened

A three-person appeals panel has ruled against the NFL Players Association, which contended an arbitrator incorrectly ruled there wasn't enough evidence to prove collusion when negotiating quarterback contracts in 2022.

The ruling, handed down Friday, upheld the January 2025 decision by arbitrator Christopher Droney in a case that focused on whether teams participated in a collusion plot while in negotiations with NFL players, but specifically with Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson.

In its ruling, the panel acknowledged the NFL was "improper" in inviting teams to "participate in collusion." However, the panel said it had not been proved by the evidence that some or all of the teams actually followed through with collusion.

The NFLPA has argued that the five-year $230 million, fully guaranteed contract given to Deshaun Watson in March 2022 by the Cleveland Browns was the impetus needed for owners to collude and that none of the three quarterbacks in question received similar guarantees.

Murray, now with the Minnesota Vikings, signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension with the Arizona Cardinals on July 21, 2022, with $159 million guaranteed.

Jackson, the MVP-winning quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, inked a five-year, $260 million extension on April 27, 2023. The contract includes $185 million in guarantees.

The Denver Broncos acquired Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks and signed him to a five-year, $242.5 million extension, with $161 million guaranteed, on Sept. 1, 2022. After two subpar seasons, the Broncos released him, and he subsequently signed one-year contracts with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants.

All of those contract figures come from Spotrac, which also lists Wilson's career earnings at about $316 million -- fourth all-time in the NFL.

Amid allegations of sexual improprieties with more than 20 massage therapists who filed suit against him, Watson got his wish to be traded by the Houston Texans. On March 18, 2022, the Texans sent Watson and a future fifth-round draft pick to the Browns for a package of three first-round draft picks, a third-round selection and a fourth-rounder.

Watson is entering the final season of the contract and will become a free agent at the end the league year. The Browns have reworked the deal several times to give them salary cap wiggle room, but he still will wind up with the full amount.

Because of suspension and injuries, Watson, 30, has appeared in just 19 games over four seasons with the Browns and has a 9-10 record. With those seasons worth $184 million, he has earned nearly $9.7 million per game.

--Field Level Media