Lamar Jackson throw close to $1 million in the trash to avoid Baltimore Ravens OTAs

Lamar Jackson showed this week that he is willing to throw away a rather large sum of money to avoid taking part in voluntary practices with his Baltimore Ravens teammates.

The Ravens and star quarterback Lamar Jackson reached an agreement on a huge long-term extension that will keep Jackson in Baltimore for the better part of ten years after months of talks, setbacks, and threats to demand a move. The three-time Pro Bowler gave them a reward by taking home the 2023 NFL MVP trophy.

Demonstrating his continued status as one of the league’s best players also offers him a significant amount of power. For this reason, to the surprise of no one Jackson will not be attending the team’s voluntary organized team activities this week. Star players and veterans passing on these camps is a tradition in its own right and well within the guidelines of the NFL collective bargaining agreement.

• Lamar Jackson contract: Five years, $260 million

However, what makes it somewhat hilarious is that for months Jackson haggled over getting as much money as possible from the Ravens in a new contract but will lose a nice chunk of change by not partaking in Baltimore’s OTAs.

According to a report on Saturday by Pro Football Talk, Jackson receives a $750,000 annual incentive for his offseason workouts. But he has to show up for 80% of those sessions, which does not include the required minicamp. That athlete who worked so hard to earn every penny he believed he was entitled to is throwing away nearly a million dollars by forgoing this week’s events in order to avoid having to miss ten days of summer vacation.

Although $750,000 may not seem like much to Lamar Jackson, who will make over $32 million this upcoming season, it certainly doesn’t appear that way to the normal fans who support the team every week and may not make that much from a lifetime of labor.