Throughout his career, Drew Brees did it. Just like Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger. Tom Brady? He turned the version of it into a nutritional lifestyle and branded product.
They increased their physical volume and then slimmed down when the arc of their career or injuries required it.
Now you can add Lamar Jackson to that list after the Baltimore Ravens quarterback revealed a significantly leaner frame during organized team activities on Wednesday.
Jackson declined to give a specific weight, but a source close to the quarterback told Yahoo Sports that Jackson has lost “at least” 10 pounds since the end of the 2023 season and also “significantly” less than his highest weight. of his career in 2022. The source declined to give a specific weight for Jackson in 2022, but said the peak during the calendar year was “between 230 and 240 (pounds)” at one point. Jackson’s playing weight at Louisville ranged between 205 and 215 pounds from his sophomore to junior years. He weighed in at the 2018 NFL scouting combine at 216.
“I really don’t know how many pounds I lost,” Jackson said Wednesday. “I’m like two hundred something right now. But I will say that it was important enough to be able to move a little more, that’s all.”
He added that his goal weight was to be under 230 pounds, adding that the slimmer physique was “just so I could be more agile and be able to move more.”
While the adjustment seems counterintuitive from the standpoint of being able to absorb punishment, it makes sense when compared to the offensive changes made by coordinator Todd Monken last season. Monken’s offense moved away from the methodical, hard-hitting running game of previous coordinator Greg Roman, demanding a more dynamic style that relied heavily on Jackson leading the decisions in the running game while also making adjustments at the line of scrimmage. In the process, it became clearer that a larger frame also meant a less agile runner, leading to greater absorption of punishment.
The difference now, in theory, is that Jackson should be more elusive when running the ball or navigating the pocket, while also not wearing down late in games while pushing a higher-tempo scheme. He also brings Jackson closer to his 2019 frame, in which he arguably had the best season of his career in terms of production, capping the first of his two MVP seasons.
It’s worth noting that while Jackson is only 27 years old, he’s entering his seventh year in the league, which is often right around the time veteran NFL quarterbacks begin modifying their physiques during the seasons. best years of their careers. Brees did it with the New Orleans Saints, reaching age 30 as a thinner player who was squeezing everything he could out of his agility. Rodgers also began to change physically in his prime, although at first with a weight that focused more on his core strength, then a leaner, stronger build when he was in his mid-30s. Brady bulked up in his prime years, then began focusing on a stronger, leaner frame that focused more on flexibility than pure strength. Even Roethlisberger, known for getting into shape as the season progressed, adopted a leaner frame in his later years, which helped him make any moves he could in his later years.
The fact that Jackson is hitting this path now in Baltimore speaks to some of the same commitments of those other quarterbacks, indicating his drive to change and adapt his body as he sees fit. And this was something he himself assumed. It was neither a directive from the Ravens nor the product of internal opinion.
“I think that’s Lamar. He’s a professional,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said of Jackson’s commitment to slimming down. “He knows what he’s doing. He knows where he wants to be with that. My concern is that he is in shape, the best shape of his life, and he is working towards it. He is ready when it comes to football, all the details that come with it: mentally, physically and spiritually ready to go. That’s something I think about. He I know he talks to strength and conditioning people. He has his own people. He talks to (sports nutrition director) Sarah (Snyder) all the time. He is a professional. He knows what he is doing.”
It remains to be seen how that will ultimately reflect on the Ravens’ offense, particularly with additions that include veteran running back Derrick Henry and rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker. For now, continuity as coordinator, Jackson’s personal adjustments and the development of wide receiver Zay Flowers, along with Henry in the backfield, would appear to be the most likely catalysts for a Super Bowl push that ultimately fell short last season in an AFC title loss. to the Kansas City Chiefs.
When asked how long it took him to get over that loss on Wednesday, Jackson responded, “Now.”
“It hurts more to lose before the Super Bowl than to be a part of it, because we worked so hard for 17 weeks, plus the little playoff games, and we come one game away and lose,” Jackson said. “We didn’t really put any points on the scoreboard, (when) we were barely scoring 30 points against crazy teams, with great defenses. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a great defense (in Kansas City) too, but (we’re facing) top-ranked defenses. We just have to finish; We have to find a way to move the ball in the right direction and score points because our defense did its thing all night.”
For teams that fall short, part of that change is what begins now, in offseason training. Then on to full team minicamps and the fire of training camp. Jackson started on his own a little earlier and a little differently than expected, changing some of what he brings physically. Now the Ravens will have to see if he pays similar dividends to other highly successful quarterbacks who not only won Super Bowls but propelled their careers into their 30s and beyond.
