Lamar Jackson:Why I Decided To Shed Weight And How I Did It For The New Season..
For every pass rush he evaded and play he extended during his second MVP campaign, Lamar Jackson did not feel agile enough in 2023.
The adjustment was evident Wednesday at the Baltimore Ravens’ second day of voluntary offseason training activities (OTAs). Jackson showed up slimmer and leaner compared to seasons past and more closely resembled the physique of his earlier NFL days than his recent seasons.
“Just so I can be more agile and be able to move more,” said Jackson, who strains defenses with his ability to hurt the opposition with his arm and legs.
Jackson told Complex earlier this month he weighed 205 pounds — down from the 215 pounds he played at last season and the 230 pounds he played at in 2022, when his season ended prematurely due to injury for the second time in a row.
But Jackson had no interest in specifying his weight or detailing how he cut down. He did say that he hadn’t felt this mobile since before 2020.
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“I feel great,” he said.
Wide receiver Zay Flowers said Jackson’s slim-down surprised him and went so far as to call Jackson, who stands at 6-foot-2, “skinny.”
“But he looks good,” Flowers added.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said he does not care what number his quarterback tips the scale at as long as he continues speaking with the Ravens’ strength and conditioning and nutrition staff.
“He’s a pro. He knows what he’s doing,” Harbaugh said. “He knows where he wants to be with that.”
Jackson has rushed for 5,258 yards over his first six seasons in the league — 1,399 more than any other quarterback. He led the NFL by averaging 5.5 yards per attempt in 2023.
“We sacrifice our body each and every game (and) practice,” Jackson said. “I believe it really doesn’t matter about the weight.”