Lamar says he'll join Ravens eventually after skipping this week's OTAs
Lamar Jackson skipped the Baltimore Ravens' organized team activities this week, and that's drawn some criticism from around the NFL.
"I've heard Lamar Jackson say he wants to win Super Bowls, he wants to win a bunch of Super Bowls. I think there was a time where he said he wants to be like (Tom) Brady," Chris Simms of NBC Sports said Thursday. "Well, Brady wouldn't be missing OTAs in Year 4 of his career. That's what I want to say to some of these young quarterbacks."
Jackson responded to Simms on Friday, adding he'll eventually return to practice.
Lamar wants to be Lamar Chris. This part of OTAs is Voluntary my Guy I will be there, just not on your watch it’s probably other QBs not attending Voluntary OTAs either but since it’s Lamar it’s a huge deal. Find something else to talk about🙄 https://t.co/2Nx2b767bb
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) May 27, 2022
The quarterback is entering the final year of his rookie deal but has yet to discuss a long-term extension with Baltimore. The Ravens began showing interest in extending Jackson's contract after the 2020 season, though team owner Steve Bisciotti said this March that the star signal-caller still wasn't ready to negotiate. Jackson doesn't have an agent, meaning Baltimore needs to negotiate with him directly.
Jackson said last year he'd love to be with the Ravens "forever."
The 2018 first-round pick took the NFL by storm in his second season, tossing a league-high 36 touchdowns en route to winning the MVP award. He rushed for 1,206 yards and seven scores that year.
The Louisville product has failed to replicate that production since. Jackson completed 64.4% of his passes for 2,882 yards and 16 touchdowns against 13 interceptions across 12 games in 2021. He also finished last season with 767 yards and two scores on the ground.