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The Baltimore Ravens “expressed enthusiasm” about Lamar Jackson‘s offseason training, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, which has included multiple sessions with quarterback mechanics expert Adam Dedeaux.
Those sessions have often included at least one of the Ravens’ wide receivers, with 2021 first-rounder Rashod Bateman and 2020 sixth-rounder James Proche among those working with Jackson this offseason.
Jackson will have another chance to work out with his receivers at the Ravens’ organized team activities (OTAs), which start on May 24, but it’s unknown if Jackson will attend.
“Jackson has chosen to stay away from the team’s offseason workout program and the Ravens maintain they are fine with that,” wrote Zrebiec on May 23, but they may feel differently if he skips OTAs.
Will Jackson Attend OTAs?
Though OTAs are voluntary, most NFL quarterbacks attend to build chemistry with their receivers, something that has renewed importance in Baltimore after the departure of Hollywood Brown. Jackson also has a new center snapping him the ball in first-round pick Tyler Linderbaum, and Ravens fans don’t need any reminding of Baltimore’s previous struggles without consistent center play.
“The Ravens would likely downplay his absence,” continued Zrebiec, “but it goes without saying that they’d much rather have Jackson on the field throwing to his young receivers and accepting snaps from his rookie center.”
Jackson’ participation in OTAs are especially important after a stop-and-start 2021 season for the 2019 MVP, who missed the first two weeks of training camp last year due to a positive COVID-19 test and missed multiple practices throughout the season due to illness and injury.
That was all before a bone bruise suffered in December held Jackson out of the Ravens’ final four contests and even kept him off the practice field until after the Super Bowl.
As a result, the Ravens offense as a whole would likely benefit from Jackson’s attendance at OTAs. He can take snaps from Linderbaum and throw passes to Bateman, Proche and the rest of Baltimore’s pass-catchers, which added two tight ends in the fourth round of this year’s draft as well as several undrafted receivers.
Tyler Huntley Ranked Among NFL’s Top 40 QBs
If Jackson attends OTAs, he’ll almost certainly be joined by Ravens third-year quarterback Tyler Huntley, who saw plenty of action in 2021 as Jackson’s backup, including a comeback win over the Chicago Bears in November.
That was his only victory of the year, despite valiant efforts against the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams after Jackson’s season-ending injury.
His efforts earned him praise across the NFL and even stirred up potential interest in Huntley as a starter, something that was echoed by former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and current NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms.
Simms ranked Huntley as the 34th-best quarterback in the NFL in his annual ranking of the league’s top 40 signal-callers, praising the former Utah Ute for his gutsy performances in 2021.
While Simms’ full list has yet to be released, Huntley is ranked ahead of multiple former-first round picks and potential starters, including ex-Ravens backup Tyrod Taylor and 2022 first-rounder Kenny Pickett.
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