Lamar Jackson is walking into OTAs (organized team activities) as a new $260 million quarterback. Except Jackson wasn’t with the Baltimore Ravens for Day 1 of OTAs.
Lamar Jackson Revealed To Be Absent From Ravens OTAs
First reported by ESPN Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley, the 2019 MVP and perennial Pro Bowler was one of Baltimore’s no-shows — as the Ravens are among 20 NFL teams getting their start Monday on OTAs.
Will this mean Jackson — who signed his blockbuster deal on May 4 that made him the highest-paid player in NFL history — become completely absent from this voluntary workout period for veterans? Hensley said Jackson is expected to be with the Ravens for the other workouts this week.
There will be a break on Tuesday in regards to Baltimore’s OTA schedule, but then the Ravens return to practice on Wednesday and Thursday to close out Week 1 of OTAs. There’s no workout on Memorial Day (May 29), but the Ravens return the Tuesday after the holiday, then go from June 1-2. The Ravens’ remaining four workouts will take place June 5-6 and then June 8-9.
Each NFL team is given 10 OTA periods, which are without contact and hitting, and comprises mostly of 7-on-7 work plus other team drills. Teams then don’t go into mandatory minicamp until June 13-15.
Yes, Jackson will eventually rejoin the Ravens. But along with preparing to develop the new chemistry with newcomers Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor, and first-round draft selection Zay Flowers, there’s another perennial Pro Bowl wide receiver who was mentioned with Jackson’s name.
DeAndre Hopkins Addresses Possibility of Playing With Jackson
All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins spoke with Brandon Marshall and Ashley Nicole Moss on I AM ATHLETE released Monday, about not only addressing his own future with the franchise but addressed this strong idea: Jackson and Hopkins linking up.
“I love Lamar Jackson,” Hopkins began. “Lamar Jackson is one of my favorite athletes since I’ve been watching sports. I’ve been a fan of Lamar for a long time. I’d be lying to say if I didn’t say…it would be a honor [if my career allows me] to play with a great guy and great quarterback like Lamar.”
That rumbling of a possible linking between the two first circulated on May 4, with Hensley revealing Hopkins’ name, mentioned by Jackson alongside Beckham. The Ravens’ QB, though, claimed he never demanded the team go out and get both Pro Bowl wideouts.
MORE: DeAndre Hopkins Rumors — Why All-Pro Wideout Isn’t at Cardinals OTAs
Still, the very thought of a WR room featuring the speedy rookie Flowers, plus OBJ, Agholor, and Hopkins, has to be a frightening thought for opposing defenses.
Meanwhile, Hopkins addressed the constant rumors being made about him being a trade possibility for the Arizona Cardinals. He didn’t mention the Ravens in clearing the air about that topic. Yet, he unveiled that he constantly heard the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills being mentioned as two teams that were interested in him. However, “I didn’t have direct conversations with them.”