Ravens OC Todd Monken not anxious if Lamar Jackson holds out

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — At his introductory information convention Tuesday, new Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken praised quarterback Lamar Jackson for an “elite skill set” and stated he believes Jackson is underrated as a passer.

It’s simply unknown when Monken can inform that to Jackson face-to-face.

There’s a chance that Jackson will skip the entire offseason spring exercises and coaching camp if he receives the franchise tag. The Ravens are anticipated to put the tag on Jackson to maintain him from turning into an unrestricted free agent if the edges are unable to agree on a brand new contract throughout the subsequent two weeks. The window to make use of the tag began Tuesday and ends March 7.

Monken did not sound anxious that Jackson may wait till the week earlier than the regular-season opener to report, which might give him little time to study the brand new offensive system.

“Sure, he’ll be behind, but it’s still just football,” Monken stated. “Sometimes we make this out to be way too much. We’ll cater to what he knows and play.”

The greatest problem to an prolonged holdout by Jackson is growing a rapport with him, Monken added.

“I mean it’s like any player, the more time you spend with them, the more comfortable they get with any system. That’s more relationship, and that’s part of it. And there’s a big part of that relationship from a quarterback, coordinator, playcaller, position coach where they’re comfortable and there’s a trust. And that’s built over time.”

It’s been over two years since Jackson has been eligible for a contract extension. A brand new deal will doubtless happen provided that one of many sides backs off its stance concerning assured contracts. Jackson desires a totally assured contract just like the one which was given to Deshaun Watson final yr, however Baltimore considers the Watson deal an outlier as a substitute of a precedent, in response to sources.

Monken was requested how Jackson’s long-term availability performed into his choice to depart Georgia, the place he gained back-to-back nationwide championships, and are available to Baltimore.

“Sure, any player that’s part of a roster where you’re going into, you have an interest of what the roster’s gonna look like,” Monken stated. “But ultimately I want to be someplace where [there’s] structure, organization, great on defense from top to bottom. And everybody I talked to said you want to be a Baltimore Raven, you wanna be a part of that organization moving forward.”

Monken replaces Greg Roman, who resigned from the Ravens on Jan. 19 after the offense continued to wrestle, particularly within the passing sport. In Roman’s 4 seasons as Baltimore’s playcaller, the Ravens’ rankings within the passing sport have been: twenty seventh, thirty second, thirteenth and twenty eighth.

Over the previous two seasons, Jackson has didn’t develop as a passer, totaling 33 landing passes and 20 interceptions. Monken stated he has by no means labored with a quarterback like Jackson.

“He’s got an elite skill set,” Monken stated. “I think he’s underrated as a passer in terms of his ability to make plays and throw it down the field. I’m no different than you. I’ve watched what you guys watch, and it’s pretty amazing.”

Still, it is unknown when Monken will begin working with Jackson. If Jackson would not signal his franchise tag tender, he isn’t underneath contract and cannot be fined if he’s absent from the entire exercises and practices for the following six months.

Monken, who was employed per week in the past, stated he hasn’t had time to talk to Jackson or any gamers but.

“I’m just trying to figure out where I’m headed when I drive to the facility,” Monken stated.