Overview

• Christopher Droney ruled that the NFL Management Council, backed by Commissioner Roger Goodell, encouraged team owners at the March 2022 meeting to curb guaranteed money in veteran contracts.
• Droney dismissed the NFLPA’s collusion claims after determining there was not a clear preponderance of evidence that clubs agreed to a concerted scheme.
• The public release of the 61-page decision revealed internal communications, including J.C. Tretter’s text messages calling Russell Wilson a “wuss” over his contract stance.
• Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson all signed extensions after Deshaun Watson’s $230 million fully guaranteed deal but failed to secure similar guarantees.
• Unveiling this ruling has put a spotlight on NFL–NFLPA tensions and could influence how future veteran contracts address guaranteed money.