Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has not been present at the team’s organized team activities this offseason, a rather surprising move for such a dedicated player.
Jackson’s decision not to attend voluntary offseason workouts has not been lost on former NFL wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who thinks that the reigning MVP is making a big mistake.
Burress mentions that new running back Derrick Henry is at organized team activities, so Jackson should have been there to meet him.
He cites his own anecdote from his brief days with the New York Jets, saying how legendary halfback LaDainian Tomlinson made sure he was present at OTAs to greet Burress.
Is Lamar Jackson Sending the Wrong Message?
Look: at this point, Jackson is a seasoned veteran, so he is entitled to his off days. But you know who else is entitled to some time off and still showed up for organized team activities? Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes.
If Mahomes can show up for offseason workouts after winning back-to-back Super Bowls and three championships in total, so can Jackson.
Plus, Burress makes a good point about Henry. Henry is supposed to be an integral part of the Ravens’ offense this coming season. Shouldn’t Jackson be spending as much time with him as possible to develop camaraderie?
Chances are, once September rolls around, we aren’t even going to remember that Jackson didn’t show up for OTAs. But you know what? Some of his teammates might not be too fond of his absence.
Jackson is coming off of a spectacular 2023 campaign in which he threw for 3,678 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 67.2 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 102.7. He also rushed for 821 yards and five scores.
Most importantly, the 27-year-old led Baltimore to the best record in football and captured his second MVP award as a result.
However, the Ravens suffered their latest playoff disappointment, losing to the Chiefs in a rather lifeless effort in the AFC Championship Game.
You would think Jackson would want to be in attendance for offseason workouts given how this past season ended for Baltimore, but evidently, he didn’t think it was necessary.
All of that being said, all Lamar Jackson needs to do is put together another MVP-caliber campaign, and all of this will be water under the bridge.
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