Panel Rules Against NFLPA in Quarterback Collusion Case

A three-member appeals panel has ratified a decision ruling that there was insufficient evidence of collusion among NFL teams to manipulate the contracts of high-profile quarterbacks, dealing a blow to the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).

The ruling, which confirms a January 2025 decision by arbitrator Christopher Droney, focused on the 2022 contract negotiations for Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson, and Russell Wilson. According to a copy of the ruling obtained by several media outlets, the panel found that while the NFL’s behavior was problematic, it did not meet the legal threshold for collusion.

The ‘Inappropriate’ Invitation

While the NFLPA did not secure a victory on the collusion charge, the panel’s findings included a sharp critique of the league’s conduct. The panel concluded that the NFL was “inviting teams to participate in a collusion,” a maneuver the members explicitly labeled as “inappropriate.”

However, the distinction between invitation and action proved decisive. The panel determined there was not enough evidence to prove that the teams actually took part in the suggested collusion during their negotiations with the players.

The Deshaun Watson Precedent

The core of the NFLPA’s argument centered on the landmark deal signed by Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson in 2022. Watson signed a record-breaking contract worth $230 million that was fully guaranteed.

The union argued that the owners violated the collective bargaining agreement by coordinating their efforts to ensure other quarterbacks did not receive similar terms. Specifically, the case questioned whether Watson’s fully guaranteed deal influenced the conversations with Murray, Jackson, and Wilson—none of whom signed fully guaranteed contracts at the time.

For the players and the union, the Watson contract was viewed as the benchmark that should have shifted the market for elite quarterbacks. The failure to see that shift reflected in the deals for Murray, Jackson, and Wilson led to the legal challenge.

A Secret Agreement

The legal battle was further complicated by revelations regarding the transparency of the process. In July, reports indicated that the NFL and then-high-ranking officials within the NFLPA had entered into a confidentiality agreement. This deal was designed to preserve the results of the arbitration hidden from the players themselves.

This internal secrecy adds a layer of tension to the ruling, as the players affected by these negotiations were kept in the dark about the arbitration’s progress and outcomes through a pact between their own representatives and the league.

Timeline of the Dispute

The path to this final ruling spanned over a year of legal scrutiny:

• 2022: Deshaun Watson signs a fully guaranteed $230 million contract; Murray, Jackson, and Wilson negotiate deals without full guarantees.
• January 2025: Arbitrator Christopher Droney issues the initial decision finding insufficient evidence of collusion.
• April 2026: A three-member appeals panel ratifies Droney’s decision, confirming the ruling against the NFLPA.

ProFootballTalk was the first media outlet to report on the panel’s final decision.

The ratification of this decision effectively closes the door on this specific challenge regarding the 2022 quarterback market. The next step for the NFLPA will be determining how to handle future contract guarantees under the current collective bargaining agreement.

Do you experience the “inappropriate” invitation from the league should have been enough to rule in favor of the players? Share your thoughts in the comments.