"There is little question that the NFL Management Council, with the blessing of the commissioner, encouraged the 32 NFL clubs to reduce guarantees in veterans' contracts at the March 2022 annual owners meeting," Droney wrote. Goodell, multiple NFL owners and Jackson and Wilson testified in an arbitration hearing held over 10 days in July and August of 2024. Jackson also was seeking a fully guaranteed contract from the Ravens. The Ravens eventually used the franchise tag on Jackson and later signed him to a five-year contract that was not fully guaranteed. Wilson testified that he asked for a fully guaranteed contract from the Denver Broncos.