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'I will be there': Ravens QB Lamar Jackson pushes back against criticism over skipped OTAs

Organized team activities in the NFL are voluntary, yet some key players are met with criticism when sitting them out. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is pushing back against that.

During an episode of the Pro Football Talk Live podcast, former NFL quarterback Chris Simms criticized Jackson's decision for skipping OTAs.

"I've heard Lamar Jackson say he wants to win Super Bowls. He wants to win a bunch of Super Bowls," Simms said. "I think there was a time when he was like, 'I want to be like (Tom) Brady,' if you remember him saying that early in his career. Well, Brady wouldn't be missing OTAs in Year 4 of his career. That's what I want to say to some of these young quarterbacks, I hear: 'I want to be like Brady. I want to have a career like Brady.' Well, then do what Brady does. Brady didn't miss an OTA until he had played in (several) Super Bowls ... that's just, from the football standpoint, I don't get it. I don't at all."

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Jackson push back in a social media post and also acknowledged that he would later report to the team.

"Lamar wants to be Lamar Chris," Jackson posted on Twitter. "This part of OTAs is Voluntary my Guy I will be there, just not on your watch it’s probably other QBs not attending Voluntary OTAs either but since it’s Lamar it’s a huge deal. Find something else to talk about."

Jackson, 25, has yet to sign a long-term contract. The 2019 AP Most Valuable Player, Jackson is entering the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. He's coming off of a Pro Bowl season in which he completed 64.4% of his passes for 2,882 yards with 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also ran 133 times for 767 yards with two scores. The Ravens, in Jackson's four seasons, have clinched postseason berths three times, with last season (8-9) being the lone campaign in which they missed the playoffs.

This is not the first time this offseason Jackson has had to quiet criticism. In March, he reaffirmed his commitment to Baltimore, saying "I love my Ravens" and pushed back against what he called a "false narrative" that he was looking to leave the team.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson pushes back on criticism over skipped OTAs