Lamar Jackson, the reigning NFL MVP, made his comeback to the field on Tuesday at the Baltimore Ravens’ Organized Team Activities (OTAs) following his absence from all three sessions last week.
The Ravens are wrapping up their voluntary practices this week before their mandatory minicamp takes place the following week. Jackson wasn’t expected to work out with the team yesterday because he had already missed four of the first five optional OTAs this spring.
That the standout quarterback was still his outstanding self upon returning to practice, though, was not surprising.
Baltimore’s veteran wideout Nelson Agholor, who won a Super Bowl title with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018, was able to clarify some of the things he has learned about playing with Jackson.
“I mean, Lamar Jackson is Lamar Jackson,” Agholor remarked following practice on Tuesday. “He does a fantastic job of just kind of going through his progression. He has unreal arm angles, but he also just knows how to see everything the way he needs to see it in the game and when the defense is giving you something.”
“I always say that people don’t realize how cerebral Lamar Jackson is,” Agholor stated. “The one-on-one talks he has with you about what he sees and what you could see— I’ll be honest, even today I had a basic in-cut. My mannerism was the reason why I didn’t complete the catch, because I saw something, and he saw something else.”
Additionally, according to Agholor, the two-time MVP winner has made it a point to discuss plays and share more details about his quarterbacking philosophy this offseason.
The wide receiver said, “He’s done a really great job of allowing us to dive deeper into his thought process.”
Even though Jackson is currently among the league’s finest dual-threat quarterbacks, there are still times when doubts arise regarding his capacity to guide a team with his passing in crucial situations. According to Agholor, those on the outside are unaware of Jackson’s intelligence when he is analyzing the game.
Nelson Agholor, who finished last season with 35 receptions for 381 yards and four touchdowns, will be looking to further develop his rapport with Lamar Jackson in 2024.
Can Lamar Jackson lead the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl win this season?
Lamar Jackson won the MVP award for the second time in his career in 2023 after leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 13-4 record that was best in the league.
In addition, the Ravens had home-field advantage during the playoffs and a first-round bye. However, the eventual Super Bowl winner Kansas City Chiefs upset them 17-10 in the AFC Conference title game.
Jackson had 3,678 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions at the end of the season. He gained five more touchdowns and 821 more yards through running.
Jackson and the rest of the Ravens’ team will undoubtedly have high expectations going into the 2024 season. The talented quarterback will have to make one more leap, though, if Baltimore is to win its first Super Bowl since 2013.
There are currently just two teams with a higher likelihood to win the Super Bowl this year than the Ravens (+950): the Kansas City Chiefs (+600) and the San Francisco 49ers (+550).
The Ravens have plenty of reasons to think they’re in good company and will still be in the running for the title this season.
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