Baltimore Ravens fans shouldn’t be too worried about Lamar Jackson missing OTA volunteers. Jackson responded to critics on Friday, hinting that they were making too much of an agreement on Jackson’s absence.
Jackson specifically called on Pro Football Talk analyst (and former NFL quarterback) Chris Simms, who criticized Jackson for skipping the voluntary OTAs. Simms compared Jackson to Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, whom Simms says never lost the OTA until he won several Super Bowls.
Jackson noted that these workouts were voluntary and that he would inform the team when important.
Jackson urged Simms to “find something else to talk about.”
Jackson’s absence is notable above all for his contractual situation. Jackson is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has yet to accept a long-term overtime with the Ravens. It’s easy to read Jackson’s absence and assume it has something to do with his contract status.
It may be so, but Jackson made it clear that the lack of a long-term agreement will not affect his condition. When he has to report to the Ravens, he will. And, new contract or not, Jackson will likely get great stats while leading the team to another winning season. If he hasn’t signed a long-term deal yet, Jackson will probably see what the other teams are willing to pay him.
Crows will look different in 2022
The low season has not been kind to Jackson. In addition to not accepting a new contract, Jackson also lost his main receiver. Marquise Brown was traded to the Arizona Cardinals on draft day. Jackson was not happy with the deal.
The Ravens used the selection acquired in the agreement with Brown to select the central Tyler Linderbaum. Jackson made sure to clarify that he was not upset with this selection.
The Ravens did not select a wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft. With Brown gone, Jackson will rely on a combination of last year’s first-round pick Rashod Bateman and 2020 third-round pick Devin Duvernay on receiver . Jackson will also be able to pitch to his favorite target, tight end Mark Andrews, who was named to the All-Pro team last season.
Lamar Jackson will inform the Ravens when he needs to be there. (Photo by Joe Sargent / Getty Images)