Colts owner Jim Irsay told reporters he "doesn't believe" in fully-guaranteed contracts according to Zak Keefer of The Athletic.
"I think that a percentage is one thing, but from what I’ve seen from the NBA and baseball, I don’t see it as a positive competitively," Irsay told reporters Monday. That would seem to eliminate the Colts from the Lamar Jackson sweepstakes as the quarterback seeks a guaranteed deal outside Baltimore following his trade request. Irsay said paying Jackson was "not a problem" for the QB-needy Colts, but he would not negotiate a deal that guaranteed money to Jackson.
Irsay joins every other NFL owner in making a stand against fully guaranteed deals after Deshaun Watson landed a guaranteed contract with the Browns in 2022. While it smacks of collusion, there are legitimate reasons to not consider a fully guaranteed contract to Jackson given his playing style and injury history.