Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has made headlines for his noticeable weight loss this year. The reigning NFL MVP explained his reasons and goals behind this change.
Weight Loss Motivation
- Personal Perception: “I was fat, to me. I felt like I was fat,” Jackson shared in an interview with CBS Sports after Tuesday’s practice.
- Training Camp Arrival: Jackson reported to training camp weighing 200 pounds, which is 30 pounds less than his 2022 weight and 15 pounds less than last season.
- Past Appearance: Jackson noted, “I just saw a video from two years ago [against] the Browns and I looked out of shape. But I was in shape.”
Performance and Speed
- Rushing Stats: Jackson is the most prolific running quarterback in the NFL, with 5,258 rushing yards in his first six seasonsā1,399 more than any other quarterback.
- Decline in Performance: Despite leading the NFL with an average of 5.5 yards per carry last season, this was his lowest in any full season. He also had only four runs of 20-plus yards, the fewest in his career.
- Perception of Speed: “My eyes may be deceiving me, but I believe I looked a little slower to me,” Jackson said. “But not now.”
Speed Metrics
- Early Career Speed: In his first three seasons, Jackson recorded nine runs reaching a maximum speed of 20 mph or faster.
- Recent Performance: Over the past three seasons, he managed just one run hitting 20 mph, and none last season.
- 2023 Stats: According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Jackson’s average speed when crossing the line of scrimmage with the ball was 12.47 mph in 2023, the lowest of his career. His fastest was 13.73 mph in 2019.
Goals and Expectations
- Endurance: Jackson emphasized his desire to move around “without getting fatigued.”
- Avoiding Tackles: “I don’t like getting caught if I do decide to run,” Jackson stated.
- Age Factor: When asked if age might be a factor in his performance, Jackson dismissed the idea, saying, “No, not at all. I’m only 27. I’m still young. It definitely don’t have anything to do with age.”
Jackson’s commitment to improving his physical condition and maintaining his speed highlights his dedication to staying at the top of his game as one of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks.
