Ray Lewis says Ravens held Lamar Jackson back as a passer
The Baltimore Ravens are banking on fifth-year quarterback Lamar Jackson returning in 2023, and a former franchise great says they need to give him more help if he does.
On a recent appearance of “Inside the NFL,” former Ravens Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis indicated that Jackson has been held back by the team’s run-heavy offensive scheme the last few seasons and that Baltimore would be wise to give Jackson more weapons in the pass game.
“Lamar Jackson is a rock star, but the offense that he’s been playing in the past three or four years, with Greg Roman as offensive coordinator — I’ve always said this — it doesn’t fit him,” Lewis said . “…Lamar Jackson needs a No. 1 receiver. Lamar Jackson needs help. They haven’t given Lamar Jackson the opportunity to really throw the ball downfield. Let this guy do what I think he does very well. … We’ve got Mark Andrews, we got a couple of other guys, but we need pieces around Lamar Jackson to help Lamar Jackson.”
Baltimore parted ways with offensive coordinator Greg Roman earlier this month. The Ravens never ranked better than 13th in passing offense in Roman’s four years as OC, finishing 27th or worse in three of those years.
Jackson threw for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions this year in 12 games. He has just three 300-yard games in his career, and he’s attempted 30 or more passes just 22 times in 70 career games (31.4 percent).
The Ravens offensive coordinator search has focused on coaches with passing-oriented backgrounds including Rams pass game coordinator/QB coach Zac Robinson and Georgia Bulldogs offensive coordinator Todd Monken. The Ravens have also requested to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
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