OWINGS MILLS — NFL defenses might need to get ready for a leaner, quicker Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens’ quarterback revealed on the “I Got Time Today” podcast on Instagram that he has dropped about 10 pounds and is about 205 pounds heading into the summer’s minicamps.
The fewer pounds could be a boost to Jackson’s impressive speed and elusiveness. He’s at the same weight he was when he won his first NFL MVP award in 2019.
The Ravens’ strength and conditioning coordinator, Scott Elliott, is impressed with Jackson’s offseason workout regime.
“Lamar is in great shape, and what it’s allowing us to do – and I just got done with a training session with him before coming out here – is to add lean muscle on top of it,” Elliott said. “We did shoulder conditioning to help him be the elite quarterback that he is.”
Two years ago, Jackson was noticeably bigger and muscular during the early minicamps. He had played at 205 to 208 pounds in the past but had bulked up to 220 pounds that offseason. The added weight and muscle would help absorb some of the poundings he takes running the ball.
Now, Jackson has a powerful sidekick in running back Derrick Henry, more freedom to call plays under second-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken and more comfort in his role.
Last season, Jackson won his second NFL MVP award after throwing for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns with career highs in completion percentage (67.2) and yards per completion (8) over 16 regular-season games. He also led the Ravens with 821 yards rushing, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and five scores.
Jackson’s seven 50-yard rushing games gave Jackson 54 in his career, tying Michael Vick’s all-time mark for quarterbacks. He also became the first quarterback to run for 700 or more yards in five consecutive seasons, He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Weeks 7 and 17.
Jackson was also a more vocal leader. This season, he might be an even quicker one.
Elliott will help with the physical changes. He doesn’t need to do anything to help the personality.
“Lamar is a magnet; everybody sees it,” Elliott said. “You see it, kind of, [in] the media, [and] you see Lamar out on the field; he’s a magnet. But in the weight room, out here running, [and] how physically gifted he is, is one aspect of it, but his personality that’s paired with it, guys are drawn to it.
“And then there’s the competitive nature in all of us. I’d say [that] all of us in the building are drawn to Lamar’s personality. So, having him engaged with us and bought in, it’s been incredible.”
