Statements
The $260 million five-year deal for Lamar Jackson includes bonuses contingent on his participation in 80% of the team’s offseason program. However, Jackson skipped four of Baltimore's first five voluntary organized team activities (OTAs), a decision that cost him $750,000. Despite this, Jackson remains set to earn $14.25 million in base salary this season.
Jackson's Participation and Focus
Jackson remains steadfast in his focus on improvement. Although he missed most of the voluntary OTAs, he attended the final week of these sessions and has been actively participating in the mandatory minicamp. Coming off a season where he achieved career highs with 3,678 yards passing and a 67.2% completion rate, Jackson's commitment to honing his craft is apparent.
Team Performance Under Jackson
Under Jackson, the Ravens boast a 58-19 record, translating to a remarkable .753 winning percentage. Furthermore, the team averages 28.3 points per game with Jackson at the helm. However, the Ravens face the challenge of replacing three starters on their offensive line, though their offensive skill positions remain intact. Jackson's occasional absence has raised questions about team chemistry, but the Ravens are optimistic that their forward momentum will propel them through the season and into Super Bowl contention.
Jackson's Commitment to Improvement
Jackson has expressed his commitment to getting better and focusing on the future. "I never discuss my contract up here. I'm not about to start today," he said, emphasizing his desire to concentrate on his performance rather than contract details. "I'm focusing on just getting better and focusing on tomorrow."
When asked about the team's progress, Jackson noted, "We don't really know who the guys are going to be right now. We're not in camp. We're not close to the first game or anything like that. But right now, I feel like we're taking steps in the right direction. Guys are moving good, running great routes, catching the ball, blocking good. We look pretty smooth."
Jackson's resolve to not let external factors influence his preparation is clear. "They're going to have to come to South Florida. They're going to have to do it. We have to. We're trying to get to the Super Bowl, and for us to do that, we have to grind. We have to build chemistry," he stressed.
Optimism for the Future
Jackson's positive outlook extends to the entirety of the team's preparations. "We just had a great practice. We're just trying to keep it going. Then, when [training] camp comes, camp is going to come," he remarked. He believes that the offense is making significant progress, asserting, "I believe our offense is taking steps in the right direction right now."
Conclusion
As minicamp concludes and training camp approaches, all eyes will be on Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. The team hopes that Jackson's leadership and focus on improvement will help them navigate the challenges of the upcoming season, particularly in building team chemistry and filling gaps in the offensive line. If successful, the Ravens could find themselves strong contenders for the Super Bowl, driven by Jackson's unwavering commitment to excellence.