OWINGS MILLS — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has autonomy under Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Jackson has the freedom to change the plays at the line of scrimmage when he assesses the opposing defense.
The key has been collaboration with the playcalling.
“It doesn’t come up as often as you would think, but when it does come up, he has the authority to do that in terms of within the scheme of what we’re doing or the concept itself,” Monken said. “Certain concepts lend more flexibility to that or lends itself to where he has the ability to change things, but most of the time we work through that during the week in terms of what he likes and doesn’t like.
“There’s not one concept that if Lamar doesn’t like, we don’t run it. I ask him as the week goes on depending on … It could be a shot [downfield]. [It] could be a quick-game. [It] could be anything that’s in there like, ‘Let’s go through them. Do you not feel comfortable with this?’ If [he doesn’t], then we take it out. We don’t need more plays. We need to execute better.”
Jackson is having a strong season and has thrown for 2,934 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions for a 97.7 quarterback rating over 13 games.
He leads the team with 644 yards rushing with another five scores. Jackson is the only quarterback in NFL history to produce six seasons of 600 or more rushing yards. He needs 56 more yards to reach 700 in 2023 and become the first quarterback in NFL history with at least 700 rushing yards in five consecutive seasons.
This is Monken’s first year with the Ravens, and so far, Jackson has exceeded his expectations.
“I think Lamar is already very confident in his ability,” Monken said. “I don’t mean that [as] overconfident. He loves playing football. He’s one of the rare guys I’ve been around. There’s guys that like football, and he loves football. He loves to play, so those moments never get too big for him ever from what I’ve seen. I should never say that. What have I been here – 13 games? Heck, I should never. That’s a pretty short stay, but it doesn’t feel that way.”
