The Baltimore Ravens were finally able to secure quarterback Lamar Jackson long-term on April 27. After an offseason of uncertainty, Jackson signed a five-year deal with the team. The contract is worth $260 million, with up to $185 million guaranteed. At the time of signing, $112.5 million are guaranteed.
His signature became a reality after the Ravens took major steps to improve the offensive weapons available to Jackson. They added veterans Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr. before drafting Boston College's Zay Flowers in the first round of the NFL Draft. Heading into training camp, the Ravens have 11 wide receivers on the roster.
Lamar Wants To Throw For "6000 Yards" This Season
Speaking at the Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills, Jackson made his goal for 2023 very clear. "I want to throw for like 6,000 yards with the weapons we have. I'm not an individual award-type guy or a stat watcher. I just want to do that because no one has ever done it and I feel like we have the weapons to do it." Jackson, widely considered the best rushing quarterback in the NFL, has a single-season career high of 3127 passing yards. That mark was set in 2019, the year Jackson also rushed for 1206 yards and won MVP. To achieve his goal, his receivers must also be at the job of their game. Of the 11 receivers currently on the Ravens roster, only OBJ has had a 1000-yard in their career. Beckham Jr. last broke four-digits in 2019. However, rookie Zay Flowers did record a 1000-yard season in his 2022 senior year at Boston College.
The plethora of wide receiver talent speaks to an offensive shift under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Monken, a journeyman coach whose career dates back to 1989, joined the Ravens in the offseason. Prior to Baltimore, Monken had helped turn the University of Georgia into back-to-back National Champions. Monken is a passing-oriented OC, having also spent time as a receivers coach during his career. If there is anyone who can turn Jackson into a passing god, it's Monken. The current single-season NFL passing yards record is held by Peyton Manning, who threw for 5477 yards in 2013.
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