24 May 2024 , 00:00
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Despite bagging the NFL MVP award for 2023, Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson has changed his body, aiming for a tactical edge on the field.
Spotted at a Ravens OTA practice, Jackson was seen handing off to new teammate Derrick Henry and connecting with Zay Flowers, who's gearing up for his sophomore year in the league. Yet, it was Jackson's trimmer figure that caught everyone's eye.
Post-practice, when quizzed about his leaner look, Jackson played it coy, saying, "I don't really know how many pounds I lost," and added, "I'm like two-something [hundred pounds] right now. But I [will] just say it was important enough to be able to move around a little bit extra, that's all."
Last season saw the Ravens soar with the best regular-season record, only to be clipped by the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game. Jackson notched personal bests with 307 completions and 3,678 passing yards, alongside 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
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Yet, even after reclaiming the MVP crown he first snagged in 2019, Jackson is buzzing about his current form. "It's been so long. We had COVID that happened to us; it slowed us down a little, but I feel great right now. I feel great," he shared.
The quarterback is unfazed by concerns over his weight affecting his resilience on the field, confidently stating: "We sacrifice our body each and every game [and] practices. I believe it really doesn't matter about the weight."
ackson's physique has been a hot topic at Baltimore's camp, with teammate Flowers even remarking that the quarterback looked "skinny" upon first glance. However, Jackson's potential to evade defenders more effectively could prove advantageous for the team, particularly for the eager young receiver.
Meanwhile, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh expressed no worries regarding Jackson's physical condition.
"I mean, it's fine. I think that's Lamar. He's a pro. He knows what he's doing. He knows where he wants to be with that," Harbaugh commented. "My concern is that he's in shape, best shape of his life, and he's working toward that."
"He's ready football-wise, all the details that go with that mentally, physically, spiritually ready to go. That's kind of what I think about. I know he talks to the strength and conditioning people. He's got his own people. He talks to [director of sports nutrition] Sarah [Snyder] all the time. He's a pro. He knows what he's doing."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.