Lamar Jackson may just actually be in the best shape of his life.
The Ravens quarterback had the internet buzzing this week over his slimmed-down figure at OTAs, revealing Wednesday he did so in an attempt to be more agile.
“I don’t really know how many pounds I lost, I’m like 2-something right now, but I’ll just say it was important enough I can be able to move around a little bit extra, that’s all,” Jackson said.
It’s a standard cliche in sports that players state in the offseason and/or preseason that they’re in the best shape of their lives, but Jackson is getting back to his leaner physique from earlier seasons.
While he played coy Wednesday regarding his weight, Jackson told Complex Sports earlier this month that he weighed 205 pounds, down from 215 last season and 230 in 2022.
Jackson bulked up to 230 after being sacked a career-high 38 times in 2021, according to ESPN, and said his goal was to be below that threshold.
“Just so I can be more agile and be able to move more, that’s all,” Jackson said Wednesday of his weight loss.
A lighter Jackson could be bad news for opposing defenses, as the reigning league MVP is well on his way to being the greatest rushing quarterback in NFL history.
Jackson has rushed for 5,258 yards and 29 touchdowns over six seasons, including 821 yards and five touchdowns last year while helping Baltimore become the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
The Ravens reached the AFC Championship game in January but lost at home to the Chiefs, whom they will face on the road in Week 1 as the 2024 season officially kicks off.
The combination of a thinner Jackson and new bruising running back Derrick Henry could be a nightmare for opponents this season.
“Heck yeah, I feel great. I feel great to be back out here with my guys, man,” Jackson said Wednesday. “Grinding, getting better. I feel great.”
Jackson doesn’t believe he’s sacrificing his pocket passer abilities by playing at a lighter weight.
“We sacrificing our body each and every game, practices,” he said. “I believe it really don’t matter about the weight.”
Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh has no concerns over Jackson shedding weight.
“He’s a pro, he knows what he’s doing,” Harbaugh said. “I’m sure if it got crazy, if he came in here 250 pounds I might be a little concerned, or if he came in here 150 pounds I’d probably be a little concerned, but he’s going to be in there, where he needs to be, and he’s going to be in great shape and ready to go.”
