Lamar Jackson calls adjustment to Todd Monken's offense 'smooth sailing'
There’s a lot of new around the Baltimore Ravens as they enter the 2023 season, headlined by a new offensive coordinator in Todd Monken and a re-tooled receiving room. One thing remains, however, and that is quarterback Lamar Jackson — fresh off inking a five-year, $260 million deal earlier this offseason.
Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, is looking to regain that form in his sixth season — this time running the plays called from Todd Monken, the two-time national champion at Georgia. Thus far through training camp, things have been “smooth sailing” between the two, Jackson said this week.
“It’s going wonderful,” Jackson said, via Sports Illustrated. “I’m dialed in the media room making notes, when I get home, I study a lot and study hard. It’s just the terminology, getting that into my brain, and I feel like it’s smooth sailing so far.”
Jackson suited up in 12 games in 2022, throwing for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 62.3% passing. He added 764 yards on the ground and three scores. Jackson has shown to be a winner, carrying a 45-16 regular season record since entering the league in 2018.
Monken praised Jackson for putting in the work this offseason to get better.
“The thing you like about Lamar is, he’s becoming more diligent,” Monken said, via the team’s website. “He wants to be great. He wants to be elite. I do not see a guy that signed a contract and said, ‘OK, I’ve arrived.’ [It’s more], ‘I want to be elite; I want this offense to be elite; I want to give ourselves a chance to win every week.’ That’s been impressive.”
Lamar Jackson ‘can’t wait’ for J.K. Dobbins to return to Baltimore Ravens practice
Jackson and the Ravens will hopefully have a full season of running back J.K. Dobbins, who is currently on the physically unable to perform list (PUP). After playing 15 games and rushing for over 800 yards as a rookie in 2020, the Ohio State product ended up missing the entire 2021 season with an injury and was only able to participate in eight games last season. Ultimately, Dobbins enters his contract year having put up 226 carries for 1,325 yards (5.9 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns in 23 games over a three year span.
Jackson explained what makes Dobbins stand out in Baltimore’s offensive effort.
“He means a lot to our offense, man,” Jackson said. “He’s one of the guys that sparks the offense, gets us going. When we’re having a slow start sometimes, he gets the ball and makes magic happen. I just can’t wait for him to get back out there on the field with us.”