Two-time MVP Jamar Jackson has stayed away from most of the Ravens’ OTAs. He is the only offensive starter in Baltimore who does not participate in voluntary workouts.
For one thing, it’s definitely voluntary. Players are under no obligation to attend. He is fully complying with his contract and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, remaining away. He is completely within his rights. He’s not doing anything wrong.
On the other hand, why didn’t he volunteer to show up? He’s the quarterback. The team leader. He is earning $52 million a year.
Last season, the Ravens failed for the second time in their career to turn a No. 1 seed into a Super Bowl berth. The Chiefs, on the other hand, continue to press. Their quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, is practicing with teammates in OTAs and on his own time.
As Mike Tomlin says, “We want volunteers, not hostages.” Why wouldn’t any quarterback who hopes to make the most of his abilities and be as prepared as possible for next season volunteer to be there? What else is he going to do?
Jackson’s team gathered for practice. He is the leader of it. Why wouldn’t he choose to be there?
Most players who stay away from OTAs have a reason for doing so. It is often contractual. Jackson got his senior year and is under contract for four more seasons. There’s no reason to think he’s upset about his financial situation.
But what about that? If they had paid Lamar after he became eligible (after the 2020 season), he would have made much more in 2021 and 2022 — and been close to a third deal. In the year since he signed his last deal, the cap has gone up and the market has started to ignore him. Jared Goff has already surpassed Lamar. Dak Prescott will do that sooner or later. Tua and Trevor Lawrence are also getting closer to potentially matching and beating Lamar.
Whatever the reason, I hope there’s a reason Lamar wasn’t there. A strategic purpose for not working with his teammates and preparing for the second season of Todd Monken’s offense.
Again, it’s voluntary. But when the team is united and you are its unquestioned leader, where else would you volunteer to be?
While there is no guarantee that participating now will make the player or team better when the season arrives, it definitely won’t make the player or team worse.
