Even though Lamar Jackson is among the best quarterbacks in the game, the Baltimore Ravens decided to take a late-round gamble on a promising project.
On April 27, Saturday, GM Eric DeCosta selected Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary with a sixth-round selection. Since Trace McSorley was selected in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Ravens had not selected a quarterback.
RavensWire’s Dustin Cox of USA Today reported on the draft choice and DeCosta’s opinions regarding Jackson’s backup.
“After the draft, Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta confirmed to the media that Josh Johnson, a veteran quarterback, will continue to be Lamar Jackson’s primary backup this season while Leary develops,” Cox said.
Although it’s likely that Ravens supporters and the team will wish for Johnson and Leary to stay off the field this season, save from mop-up or preseason duty, DeCosta evidently thought it was time to take another chance on the position.
Even though Jackson is just 27 years old and recently had his second MVP season, general managers in the NFL are constantly considering the future.
Jackson appeared to be trying to repeat his first MVP campaign, which saw him dash for a career-high 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns in addition to throwing for 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2019.
Jackson would join a select club of athletes who have earned back-to-back MVP awards if he can accomplish it in 2024.
QB Aaron Rodgers, QB Peyton Manning, QB Brett Favre, QB Joe Montana, and RB Jim Brown are the only five players to have won consecutive MVP awards.
It’s not just Jackson who believes he can pull it off. Last month, Scott Elliott, the coordinator of strength and conditioning, shared his expectations for Jackson.
The team’s official website stated, “Lamar is in great shape,” according to Elliott. “I would say this: I’ve never been more excited in April for Lamar Jackson.”
Derrick Henry, the bruising running back the Ravens acquired this offseason, might have encouraged Jackson to lose some weight.
Leave a Reply