Surgery may have been after the draft. I’m not sure. But if it was and he was coy with the team because his contract was still being negotiated that obviously backfired big time. Probably needs to blame his agent for that.
From the bits and pieces we've gotten:
- Team knew of the knee concerns prior to the draft
- Team knew that Jacas would have a procedure done
- Jacas had the procedure done and kept the team informed.
- Team didn't want to guarantee Jacas' contract for injury at all.
- We can only assume that Jacas' agent wanted the entire contract guaranteed for injury but this hasn't been confirmed.
- Team refused to give Jacas a PPA so he could attend OTAs and Mini-Camps.
- Team and Jacas FINALLY settled on the contract being guaranteed for injury except for the knee, which has a waiver on it.
I think it's just one of those things. I don't think there was any malice of agent doing anything but his job.
I understand both Points of view:
Team :
You're coming in injured.
Not just with 1 injury, but a few things.
Why should we cover you for injury when you're already damaged goods?
We're not giving you a PPA. We don't want to have to guarantee your entire contract if you get hurt during OTAs or Mini-camp if you haven't signed the contract.
Jacas Agent -
You knew about his medicals before the draft.
You traded up to get him despite the medicals.
You knew he was going to get the knee done. before you drafted him.
You know he missed only 1 game in 4 seasons and played through the bumps and bruises.
The knee is really a non-issue because 30% of all people have the issue and the surgery is minimally invasive and routine.
He kept in contact during rehab.
I had said that they should tie the guarantees for the following year into Games played. Such as 12 games in 2026 means the 2027 guarantees are there. 12 games for 2027 means the 2028 and 2029 guarantees kick in.
They compromised by giving Jacas the guarantees for injury with the exception of another injury to the left knee.
I don't think there was any "backfire". I think both sides had legit concerns and they found a mutual way to settle it. Yes, I wish it could have been done sooner, but it wasn't. And BOTH sides are at fault for that.