Chad Johnson reveals that he still calls Bengals head coach Zac Taylor to tell him that he’s open
Bengals Legend Chad Johnson had some choice words for new Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle after Doyle made comments about offseason workouts.
During an introductory press conference, Doyle sent a clear message about what he expects during the offseason.
“We would expect them to be here and certainly it is voluntary,” Doyle said. “But also, if you want to say that you’re going to win a championship, you want to say that you have championship standards and those are your goals and your expectations, certainly that’s going to take work. That’s going to take collaboration, that’s going to take the beginning of building the relationship with their coaches [and] other players, starting off this next regime on the right foot.”
“The Ravens’ offseason program will begin on April 6 — which was mentioned Wednesday by both Doyle and Ravens coach Jesse Minter — and their on-field workouts will start in May. [Lamar] Jackson has typically skipped most of the voluntary workouts and didn’t attend eight of the nine on-field practices last spring.” Jamison Hensley wrote in an ESPN article.
After many speculate that these comments refer to Lamar Jackson, Chad Johnson came to Jackson’s defense. In a Thursday episode of Johnson’s podcast “NightCap”, Johnson did not hold back.
These comments created a sharp dispute between Johnson and former Ravens Tight End Shannon Sharpe.
“You don’t do that coming in as a new coach! It’s dumb and it’s stupid! Why would you piss off your QB with a message like that! It’s stupid!” Johnson said. “If you want Lamar to show up, you text him [privately]. How is coming at your franchise QB publicly supposed to help anything?”
“Doyle has spoken with Jackson a few times, including an hourlong video call during his interview process for the Ravens’ offensive coordinator job. He has “had a chance to visit” with Jackson a few times since then, including exchanging some text messages.” Hensley wrote. In these conversations, Doyle has been impressed with Jackson’s willingness to listen and his hunger to learn.”
The Baltimore Ravens’ priority will be to extend Lamar Jackson’s contract. Owner Steve Biscotti made that known during the end-of-season press conference in January.
“Owner Steve Bisciotti said last month that he wants a new deal with Jackson finalized before the start of free agency (March 11) because the quarterback’s $74.5 million cap hit would hinder the Ravens’ financial flexibility.” Kevin Eck wrote in a Baltimore Ravens article.
“The Ravens’ biggest offseason priority is to reduce Jackson’s $74.5 million salary cap number, which is the second highest in the NFL.” Hensley wrote in the ESPN article. “Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti recently said the team wants to get a new deal done with Jackson by the start of free agency in the middle of March. Whether Baltimore can get a new contract with Jackson could impact his availability this spring.”
Nonetheless, it’s clear that Declan Doyle wants Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense to be present at voluntary OTA’s. It’s a new system for the Baltimore Ravens offense and Doyle seems excited to work with a talented offense.
