Ravens’ $260MILLION man Lamar Jackson ‘MISSES the start of OTAS’… but is ‘expected’ in this week

Lamar Jackson missed the start of the Ravens’ OTAs on Monday, according to a new report.

The star quarterback signed a huge five-year, $260million deal with Baltimore last month, ending a hugely drawn out contract saga and locking him down with the team that drafted him in 2018.

According to ESPN, though, Jackson was nowhere to be seen as the Ravens began OTAS, which are voluntary, after telling reporters he’d ‘be in soon’ on May 4.

The dual-threat, 2019 MVP has missed the first five weeks of the Ravens’ offseason workout program, though attendance is not mandatory until the team’s three-day minicamp from June 13-15.

Nonetheless, ESPN reported Jackson is ‘expected’ to report to the team this week after a pivotal offseason for the team.

Lamar Jackson finally put an end last month to the drama surrounding his future in Baltimore

Jackson became the highest-paid player in NFL history on April 27 when he agreed to terms with the Ravens, as the deal guarantees $185million and trumps the five-year, $255M contract that Jalen Hurts signed with the Eagles this offseason.

‘We know for the last few months, there’s been a lot of ”he says”, ”she says”,’ Jackson said in a video via the Ravens’ official Twitter account afterwards. ‘A lot of nail biting, head scratching going on but for the next five years, there’s a lot of flock going on.

‘Lets go baby. Lets go, lets go man! Can’t wait to get there, can’t wait to be there, can’t wait to light up M&T [Bank Stadium] for the next five years. Lets get it!’

In 12 games last season, Jackson threw for 2,242 yards with 17 TDs and seven interceptions

Aside from committing to Jackson long-term, the Ravens also brought in three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham. Jr and used the No. 22 overall pick on fellow receiver Zay Flowers.

Despite his success with Baltimore, as he’s gone an impressive 45-16 as a starter, Jackson has never really played with elite wide receivers.

The team’s leading receiver the last two seasons has been tight end Mark Andrews, and the only two Pro Bowl wideouts he’s played with – Dez Bryant and DeSean Jackson – were at the tail end of their careers by the time they got to Baltimore.  

With the additions of Beckham and Flowers – plus the hiring of Todd Monken as the team’s new offensive coordinator, Baltimore will hope to rebound with Jackson under the helm for a sixth season.