Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is still without a new contract, and didn’t report to voluntary OTAs. Chris Simms had a problem with that.
The key word in the phrase ‘voluntary OTAs’ is ‘voluntary’, and that is the word Jackson would like all of us to focus on despite the fact he opted not to attend before his fourth NFL season. Surely, Jackson is preparing for the 2022 NFL season somewhere, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be at the Ravens facility.
When the time comes, he’ll be ready.
Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms doesn’t see it that way. Simms compared Jackson to Tom Brady, claiming the GOAT didn’t miss voluntary team activities at that point in his career.
Promptly, Jackson commented back at Simms, saying that he has no inclination of being the next Brady. He just wants to be himself, and he will be with his teammates when it matters most.
Ravens: Is Lamar Jackson working on new contract?
When asked about Jackson’s absence, John Harbaugh decided against making any sort of comment.
“I’ll just let Lamar speak for himself on that,” Harbaugh said, via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “It’s for him to talk about.”
While a professional thing to say by Harbaugh, it’s not exactly backing his quarterback, either. Jackson’s teammates came to his defense.
“I know Lamar and I’ve talked with him. I know how hard he’s working,” Mark Andrews said. “He’s extremely motivated and extremely hungry. So there’s no worries over there.”
Jackson’s contract situation is all kinds of weird. He’s in the fourth year of his five-year rookie deal. While most players are represented by an agency, Jackson has advisors who speak on his behalf, including his own mother. It’s an intriguing way of doing business but this will be their biggest test yet.
In the meantime, Simms can relax about Jackson’s OTA absence. As long as his coaches and teammates understand the situation at hand, that’s all that matters.
