Lamar Jackson bulks up in bid to reclaim MVP form for Ravens
By Eric D. Williams
FOX Sports NFL Writer
Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach James Urban hadn’t seen Lamar Jackson since the regular season ended in January.
Urban noticed Jackson had bulked up during his offseason training regimen away from the team’s facility. He liked what he saw.
“This is a game built for big, strong, fast men, right?” Urban quipped. “So, I think he’s checking three of those boxes right now.”
Jackson said he’s usually between 205 and 208 pounds but reported to his team’s mandatory minicamp in June weighing 220.
Entering his fifth NFL season, Jackson said he added bulk working with his personal trainer, Emonee Spence, back in his native South Florida.
“I just wanted to do it, see how it looks and see how it feels,” he said. “And I feel good.”
After missing the last four games in 2021 due to a bone bruise in his right ankle, putting on some armor and gaining more muscle was part of Jackson’s offseason reclamation product. Jackson said he also spent time in Southern California with “3DQB” throwing guru Adam Dedeaux, tightening up his throwing mechanics.
The goal for Jackson is to get back to way he played in 2019, when he stunned NFL observers by unanimously winning the league MVP award.
“I feel better than I did in 2019, I’ll tell you that,” Jackson said. “I’m very eager.”
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Of course, the Ravens and Jackson have yet to reach agreement on a new contract. Jackson is in the final year of his rookie deal, set to make a little over $23 million in 2022. Jackson, who does not have an agent, said he has had discussions with Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta.
The Ravens have indicated they are enthusiastic about having Jackson there long-term.
“We’re having a conversation about it,” Jackson told reporters about his contract status.
The Louisville product said he expects to remain with Baltimore for the rest of his NFL career. However, Jackson struggled through his worst season as a pro last year. In 12 starts, he completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 2,882 yards, with just 16 touchdown passes and a career-high 13 interceptions. Jackson’s 87.0 passer rating was among the bottom third in the NFL for starting quarterbacks.
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