It is funny how the bar keeps moving. A two-time MVP shows up to voluntary workouts, and suddenly it is headline news. Not touchdowns, not playoff wins, just showing up.
That is the reality for quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts. One is constantly told to “win it all.” The other wins consistently and still catches heat. At some point, it stops being about performance and starts feeling like nothing is ever enough.
Lamar Jackson’s OTA Arrival Sparks Debate Around The Baltimore Ravens’ New Era
Lamar Jackson
Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) rushes the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
On April 6, 2026, Lamar Jackson reported to the Baltimore Ravens facility for Day 1 of voluntary offseason workouts. According to reports, his presence was viewed internally as a tone-setting move for a franchise entering a new era under head coach Jesse Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.
All of a sudden 2 time MVP’s showing up for the first day of OTA’s is a big conversation. Obviously the MVP in question is Lamar Jackson, & it has to be exhausting. It’s clear he needs to win it all, but so do many others who’ve accomplished less individually.
On the other… pic.twitter.com/MPJ27A3cPB
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) April 8, 2026
Here is why it mattered: This is not something Jackson has traditionally done. In 2025, he notably skipped voluntary sessions, leaving behind a $750,000 workout bonus. So when he walks in on Day 1 this time, it is not random; it is intentional, with a new system, new voices, and new expectations.
“It doesn’t count in the win-loss record, but it matters. It matters in the organization… To have your guy who’s the face of the organization in the building for the very first day, it literally sets the tone for what 2026 could be for the Baltimore Ravens.” — Damien Woody (via ESPN)
Around the league, many saw it as leadership—a clear signal that he is buying into the new regime. Others were not sold.
“It’s a little problematic when you haven’t been there in the past… now that they’ve transitioned coaching staffs, you’re suddenly all in?” — Eric Mangini
And that is where the conversation gets exhausting, because this is not just about attendance but perception.
Jackson is coming off a 2025 season where he recorded 2,549 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in 13 games. Injuries and shaky protection did not help. However, context rarely wins debates, but narratives do.
Even after a historic 2024 season where he threw for 4,172 yards and 41 touchdowns, he still finished as a runner-up for certain postseason honors while leading Baltimore to the top of the AFC. The criticism never really left.
Meanwhile, players like Jalen Hurts continue stacking wins and still deal with skepticism in certain circles. Different paths, but same noise. And then there is the constant comparison to Patrick Mahomes, the unofficial gold standard: private workouts, OTA presence, and championships. Fair or not, that is the measuring stick.
Except here is the reality: Jackson did not have to be there. These workouts are voluntary; he showed up anyway. That is a message. It says he is locked in. It says he understands the moment, and more importantly, it says he is not running from expectations.
Still, the reaction proves something bigger. For MVP-level quarterbacks, the checklist never ends. Win more, lead louder, show up earlier, and prove it again. Because apparently, even two MVPs do not buy you the benefit of the doubt anymore.