Lamar Jackson, quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, is starting the new season slimmer and faster. Now he explains the background to his transformation.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has lost a significant amount of weight this offseason. The reigning NFL Most Valuable Player explained that he was previously unhappy with his appearance and speed.
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Two weeks before training camp, a visibly slimmer Jackson reported weighing a good 90 kilograms, which is about 14 kilos less than in 2022 and almost seven kilos less than last season.
NFL star: “I felt fat”
In an interview with CBS Sports After practice on Tuesday, Jackson said, “I was fat. I felt like I was fat.” He added, “I saw a video from two years ago against the Browns and I looked out of shape. But I was in shape.”
Jackson is the most productive running quarterback in the NFL, rushing for 5,258 yards in his first six seasons – 1,399 yards more than any other quarterback. Last season, he led the NFL with an average of 5.5 yards per carry, but that was his lowest mark in a full season.
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His four runs of over 20 yards were also the fewest of his career. “My eyes may be deceiving me, but I think I looked a little slower,” Jackson said. “But not anymore.”
Jackson: Focus on speed
In terms of speed, Jackson recorded nine runs in his first three seasons where he reached a top speed of 20 mph or more.
He’s only done it once in the last three seasons – and that wasn’t last season. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Jackson’s average speed when crossing the line of scrimmage with the ball in 2023 was 12.44 mph, the lowest of his career. His fastest was 13.74 mph in 2019.
On Tuesday, Jackson explained that he wants to “move without fatigue.” “I don’t like being caught when I decide to run,” Jackson said. When asked if age might be a factor in his declining speed, Jackson replied, “No, not at all. I’m only 27. I’m still young. It definitely has nothing to do with age.”
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With his new weight and improved fitness, Lamar Jackson hopes to be able to return to his peak performance next season. Baltimore Ravens fans will be excited to see how the slimmer and faster Jackson will perform on the field.
