Ravens Coach John Harbaugh Explains Lamar Jackson's Role In New Offense
After months of uncertainty, the Baltimore Ravens managed to sign star quarterback Lamar Jackson to a long-term extension in April. However, that doesn't mean things will be exactly the same as they were before.
For one, the supporting cast around Jackson has changed considerably. He has a new offensive coordinator in Todd Monken, as well as new receivers to throw to in Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers. Those differences alone mark a big change, but Jackson himself may be taking on a different role as well.
Many believe that Jackson may run less than he has in the past, but that may not be entirely true. While appearing on the Rich Eisen Show, head coach Jim Harbaugh said that Jackson's running ability will still be a big part of the offense, although the specific plays will be different.
"Yeah, I mean I think there's certain types of plays that will probably be less in the offense," Harbaugh said. "They're still in there [but Jackson] is probably talking mostly about the counter quarterback keep plays, the inside gap scheme runs that we really relied on the last two years down the stretches when we didn't quite have some of the stuff we wanted to do on the outside throwing the ball. I'm sure that'll be called less. That's probably what he's talking about mainly but it'll still be in our offense as a threat and there'll be a little bit more at the line of scrimmage."
Additionally, Jackson wants to take on even more responsibility in the offense, especially in the passing game. Given his comments earlier in the offseason about wanting to throw for 6,000 yards, that doesn't come as much of a surprise. With how Monken has approached this offseason so far, he is happy to grant Jackson that wish.
"I know Lamar does want to have more responsibility than he's ever had before at the line of scrimmage," Harbaugh said. "That's the way Todd's built. That really got my attention.
"Lamar is going to be very responsible for making decisions at the line and I love the way it's being taught right now. We'll see what it looks like when we see it but I'm excited about it."
While the contract situation may have been trying for Jackson and the Ravens, the two sides are now as close as ever heading into the 2023 season.
"We made the commitment, and we want to see it through, and we do," Harbaugh said. "We like him, we love him, respect him and he feels the same way. I think just once you decide to go that way it's better to try to stick with it and make it work then it is just to bail at the first sign of trouble."
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