Quarterback Lamar Jackson tweeted Friday that he plans to participate in the Ravens’ organized team activities, rebuking an NFL analyst who questioned why Jackson would miss the team’s first week of voluntary practices.
“This part of the OTA is voluntary my boy,” Jackson wrote, responding to a video in which NBC analyst and former NFL quarterback Chris Sims said he didn’t understand why a young quarterback would leave the OTA. “I’ll be there, not on your watch.”
Jackson, who did not specify when he planned to return, said that “maybe the other QBs weren’t participating in the voluntary OTAs, but since it’s Lamar, it’s a big deal. Find something else to talk about.” ” He ended the tweet with an eye-roll emoji and in a subsequent message, Tagged your personal quarterback tutorAdam Dedox.
Only three other predicted quarterbacks missed the first week of the OTA: Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals, who is seeking a long-term contract extension, and Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers and Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both established veterans.
Jackson, the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player, is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and general manager Eric DeCosta said in February that the team was moving at “Lamar’s pace” in contract negotiations. Ravens executives have said they are committed to signing Jackson to a long-term extension, but if a deal doesn’t work out, the team is expected to put up the franchise tag next year.
Jackson has worked with the Ravens wide receiver this off-season, but he missed the first voluntary workout at Owings Mills on Tuesday, the first no-show of his career, as well as several other seasoned starters. . “Can’t wait to come back,” he tweeted Later After Jackson missed Wednesday’s open practice, coach John Harbaugh and teammates were asked about his absence.
“We’ve been down this road several times over the years,” Harbaugh said. “So I’ll just let Lamar speak for himself on that. He’s got to talk about that. You can ask him.”
“I know Lamar has been training a lot, but we have had a big presence,” said cornerback Marlon Humphrey. “I know Lamar will be here soon. … If it was training camp, it would be really bad, but I think as long as people are working, no matter where they are, that’s the biggest key. Is.
The Ravens have seven OTA drills left over the next two weeks before a three-day mandatory minicamp in mid-June, in which Jackson will be expected to participate.
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