(Reuters) — The last time that two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson spoke publicly occurred after Baltimore Ravens placekicker Tyler Loop misfired badly on a short field goal that would have elevated the team into the playoffs.
It put a punctuation point on a very frustrating season for Jackson, who missed four games due to injury. He ran for a career-low 349 yards, was sacked a career-high 2.77 times per game and failed to reach the postseason for the first time in eight mostly-glorious seasons.
Jackson revealed after his second OTA practice of the offseason on Wednesday, that even after returning for the final nine games of the season, the hamstring injury that he initially suffered in Week 3 against the Lions, lingered throughout the season.
A great deal has changed for Jackson and Baltimore. The only professional coach that all of the returning Ravens have competed for was fired after the season. Not surprisingly, John Harbaugh was quickly scooped up by the New York Giants.
“I gotta lot of respect for Coach. I was shocked in a way,” said Jackson about Harbaugh’s dismissal. “I feel like (team owner) Mr. Steve (Bisciotti) did what was best for the team. I hope Coach has a great, great time in New York. Hats off to Coach because we did so much for the city, for the team, for this organization.”
The Ravens hired former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as their fourth head coach in team history. The 43-year-old Minter brought in 30-yearold Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator. The former Chicago Bears’ OC (although head coach Ben Johnson served as the play-caller) is only a few months older than his star quarterback.
Although Jackson did not attend last week’s OTAs, he, Minter and Doyle have had numerous conversations about the new offense that he will lead. Jackson is expected to have a great deal of input into that offense.
“All of us are having fun with the new system, and what he (Doyle) sees on the field and the film,” said Jackson, who described the atmosphere on 1 Winning Drive in Owings Mills, Md. as “a breath of fresh air.”
“It means a lot because I feel like I should know what coach is thinking when he calls certain plays on the field. It sure makes my job a lot easier.”
Minter never wavered on Jackson’s commitment to the team, despite the lack of a contract extension so far during the offseason.
“Great to see him out there making the plays that he can make,” said Minter.
In March, the Ravens restructured Jackson’s 5-year, $260 deal, signed in 2022, adding a voided year and lowering the 2026 cap hit to $34.39 million.
Although Jackson and the Ravens both remain tight-lipped about his long-term future in Baltimore, the quarterback affirmed on Wednesday that his preferred colors are purple and black.
“Absolutely. I love the Ravens. I love this organization. I love this city,” Jackson said. “This is the team that drafted me. I love Baltimore. Everyone should know that by now.”
