The Baltimore Ravens got a pleasant surprise to open OTAs on Tuesday morning — superstar quarterback and 2-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson was there to go through workouts with his team.
The Ravens announced his presence with a post on their official social media accounts of Jackson walking out to practice with the 8-ball emoji — for his No. 8 jersey.
“Lamar Jackson is back,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account.
“Lamar Jackson is in attendance for the Ravens’ second week of voluntary OTAs,” ESPN’s Jamison Hensley wrote. “When Jackson missed last week, Ravens coach Jesse Minter said he expected the two-time MVP to be back soon.”
Lamar Jackson Caused Stir With OTAs Absence
The Ravens opened their doors to the media for voluntary OTA workouts on May 19 with 1 noticeable player missing in 2-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“Lamar Jackson is not here for the first OTA open to the media this offseason,” ESPN’s Jamison Hensley wrote on X. “These workouts are voluntary. Jackson did attend Jesse Minter’s first voluntary minicamp earlier this offseason. Ravens QBs here are: Tyler Huntley, Skylar Thompson, Diego Pavia and Joe Fagnano.”
Jackson’s absence last week may have just been a well-earned vacation, and came after a whirlwind weekend in which Jackson not only saw his No. 7 jersey retired by Boynton Beach (Fla.) High School, but also attended a show by comedian Mike Epps, and attended a pre-prom event at Blanche Ely High School in his hometown of Pompano Beach, Florida, decked out in a full tuxedo.
He also wasn’t the only 1 missing — just the most noticeable.
“Here are notable Ravens not in attendance for voluntary OTA on Tuesday: QB Lamar Jackson, S Kyle Hamilton, CB Marlon Humphrey, WR Rashod Bateman, NT Travis Jone, DE Calais Campbell, DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), NT John Jenkins, CB Chidobe Awuzie, LB Teddye Buchanan (knee),” Hensley wrote.
Jackson Shocked Ravens by Showing up to Minicamp
Not having Jackson for even part of the offseason workouts was made a little more disappointing because he showed up for the 1st day of offseason workouts under Minter on April 6.
“Lamar showing up to the facility in April so I don’t gotta listen to people say he’s not locked in,” Ravens fan Hoodie Ramey wrote on their official X account.
Jackson signed a 5-year, $260 million contract extension before the 2023 season and can make an extra $750,000 by participating in a certain number of voluntary offseason workouts.
For the last 2 years, Jackson has chosen to forgo an extra $1.5 million by not meeting those bonus requirements.
While it might seem like a little thing to outside observers, consider that the last 3 Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks — Sam Darnold, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes — have all been regular attendees at OTAs throughout their careers and in the offseasons before their Super Bowl wins.
Jackson is also on the path to becoming the highest-paid player in NFL history, which is something that might actually happen this offseason.
Serving as his own agent, Jackson is likely negotiating a deal that would exceed the $60 million in average annual salary paid to Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott on the 4-year, $240 million contract he signed before the 2024 season.
Right now, Jackson is playing on the 5-year, $260 million contract extension he signed in April 2023.
Ravens Provide Lamar Jackson, OTAs Update With 1-Emoji Post