Whether this is true or not, I will repeat my earlier "shit" take!
Ballard needs to try to fix this, unless JT has a career threatening injury that he is trying to hide by getting into this contract dispute, he needs to at least attempt to talk some sense into JT! If JT does suit up and give full effort and have some really good performances and the team has some level of success, he should be offered a fair extension above just franchising him twice which is what I think he is afraid will happen!