Lamar Jackson BILL INGRAM /THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ravens' Lamar Jackson responds to criticism over missing OTAs

By Zac Wassink | Last updated May 27, 2022 1:48 PM ET

Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson has been absent from the club's voluntary organized team activities and is on track to play later this coming season on the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters earlier this week that Jackson would eventually "speak for himself" about his decision, and the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player did just that on Friday.

Former quarterback and current NBC Sports personality Chris Simms criticized Jackson and pointed out that seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady "wouldn't be missing OTAs in year four of his career" during an on-air appearance:

.@CSimmsQB on Lamar Jackson, who once said he wants to be the Tom Brady of his era:

"Brady wouldn't be missing OTAs in year four of his career. ... Brady didn't miss an OTA until he had played in four Super Bowls..."

via @ProFootballTalk pic.twitter.com/d30rWoZEjK
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbytrosset) May 26, 2022

Jackson responded and once again suggested he'll attend the Ravens' mandatory minicamp scheduled for June 14 through June 16:

Lamar wants to be Lamar Chris. This part of OTAs is Voluntary my Guy I will be there, just not on your watch it’s probably other QBs not attending Voluntary OTAs either but since it’s Lamar it’s a huge deal. Find something else to talk about https://t.co/2Nx2b767bb
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) May 27, 2022

@train3DQB My training coach
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) May 27, 2022

Ravens tight end Mark Andrews made it clear on Wednesday that Jackson was working hard during his time away from the club.

"He's extremely motivated and extremely hungry," Andrews said at that time. "So there's no worries over there. I know what he's doing and we're all working and doing our job here and getting ready for him. We'll be ready to go and I'm confident that he's going to be ready and show everybody what he's got and the type of hunger he has right now."

Meanwhile, Ravens president Sashi Brown reminded everyone on Thursday that "voluntary does mean voluntary" and also remarked that he's not bothered about the situation.

"Lamar’s been out working this offseason . . . so no, I don’t think any reason for alarm," Brown added. "He’s been very vocal in terms of his support and desire to be in Baltimore. We’re pleased that’s he’s out there working and not going to make a big deal out of this."

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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