I had thought the story of Lamar Jackson dropping weight this offseason was beginning to ebb a bit, but the dawn of OTAs brought some new attention to his slimmed-down physique, and his time at the podium allowed reporters the opportunity to ask him about it.
The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec wrote a brilliant wrap of yesterday’s events, and discussed Jackson’s slimmer stature, as well as his drive to take the team to the next step.
According to Zrebiec, when Jackson was asked how long it took him to turn the page from last year’s frustrating loss in the AFC Championship Game, his response was, “Now.”
“I believe that just motivated us throughout the whole offseason,” Jackson said, per Zrebiec. “People are still talking about it; us players still talk about it. It definitely left a bitter taste in our mouths just being that close. We worked so hard in getting there and didn’t do what we wanted to do, didn’t fulfill our dream. Definitely a little chip on our shoulder.”
A chip is good. And, going back to the weight thing, it does indeed appear Jackson decided that less chips is good this offseason.
“It was probably telling that the prevailing questions Wednesday in Jackson’s first media availability since the night of the Chiefs’ loss concerned his weight,” wrote Zrebiec. “Jackson said during a recent Complex Sports Instagram segment that he’s down to 205 pounds, which would be his lowest listed weight since he entered the league in 2018. Jackson played at 215 last year and 230 in 2021.
“Jackson, the two-time NFL MVP, said he lost the weight so he can be ‘more agile and be able to move more,’ Zrebiec continued.
“I feel great,” Jackson said. “It feels great to be out here with my guys, grinding and getting better.”
One of those physical disparities that can make you shake your head and wonder how two completely-different-sized people can play the same sport is when you look at Zay Flowers (5-9, 183) and new running back Derrick Henry (6-3, 247). Flowers commented on that a bit yesterday, per Zrebiec.
“I think he had a stretch zone,” Flowers said, according to Zrebiec’s article. “He was running and I turned around, and he was right in front of me. I was like, ‘Oh!’ and kind of jumped out of the way. Then, he ran back up to me. He was like, ‘I heard you scream, Oh!’ I was like, ‘Yes, I have to get out of the way!’ It’s way different seeing him in person.”
Flowers also reflected on last year’s championship game loss, and his big fumble near the Chiefs’ end zone in the fourth quarter.
“Honestly, I still [haven’t] gotten over it,” Flowers said, according to Clifton Brown, on the team’s website. “I still think about it, but I know next year we have a chance to get back there and try to make it to the Super Bowl. That’s why I’m working hard every day and going hard every day to get back to that moment.”
"It's sometime during the season for Keaton.
But I will say he's on schedule, maybe ahead of schedule. He's doing really well."https://t.co/xUZbMZeGrN
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 22, 2024
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Also of note during yesterday’s press availability was Coach John Harbaugh commenting on the status of second-year running back Keaton Mitchell, who went down with a knee injury late last season.
“It’s not a ‘come back during training camp or first game’ type of thing,” Harbaugh said, according to Brown. “I think we all know that. It’s sometime during the season. It’s not like right around the corner. We shouldn’t be biting our fingernails, [wondering] is he going to get back.
“But I will say he’s on schedule, maybe ahead of schedule. He’s doing really well. He’s always got a smile on his face. He’s going to start jogging on the Alter-G (treadmill) next week. So that’s a positive thing and we’ll see where it goes.”
Mitchell returning halfway or late in the season with fresh legs could be a huge factor in preserving Henry down the stretch next year and getting him ready for the playoffs. Plus, he’s a home run hitter, and we all know how one quick-hitter in a playoff game can make the difference between advancing and making people suffer on The Platform Formerly Known as Twitter.
Though both are admittedly fun.
Also of note:
How Derrick Henry is making a good first impression: pic.twitter.com/EmlTx2SspA
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 22, 2024
What the people have been waiting to see 🔥@Lj_era8 ➡️ @KingHenry_2 pic.twitter.com/JLGOOGrYds
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 22, 2024
Lamar Jackson and other Ravens were asked A LOT about his weight today. Eleven questions, to be exact. Here all all 11. pic.twitter.com/x1H0e3mXk3
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) May 22, 2024
“It’s cool to see both of us have grown these past couple of years.” @kyledhamilton_ on his relationship with DC Zach Orr: pic.twitter.com/AORom6DFqp
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 22, 2024
“He looks good.” Harbs on @Andrew_Vorhees: pic.twitter.com/jMnJG1vUeJ
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 22, 2024
The correct answer. @Ravens | @raylewis | @TwentyER https://t.co/l5vfJvwE6M pic.twitter.com/8Vk6V3o5gX
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) May 23, 2024
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton on first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins: "He’s still super young. Is he 20 years old? That’s crazy. He can’t even drink yet. If he gives up a bad play, you got to have that in the back of your mind — he can’t have a Mike’s Hard Lemonade." pic.twitter.com/SXV6lzEjCx
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) May 22, 2024
