Lamar Jackson reports for voluntary workouts + How long will Baker Mayfield remain a Buc? (4/7 Hour 2)
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The episode opens with a lively discussion about Lamar Jackson's voluntary return to the Ravens' offseason program, highlighting his first-day presence as a symbolic gesture of commitment under new coaches Declan Doyle and Jesse Minner. While praising his appearance, the hosts raise a critical question: how long will Jackson stay engaged, especially given his history of missing workouts and the unresolved status of his contract negotiations. The conversation dives into the financial details—$62 million per year for a three-year extension—emphasizing that the deal should be straightforward, yet it remains uncompleted. The hosts speculate whether the Ravens are intentionally delaying the contract to leverage Jackson's reputation for being unresponsive, turning the narrative against him. Despite Jackson's recent efforts, the uncertainty lingers, with the hosts acknowledging they’ll likely never know the full truth behind the stalled negotiations. The segment shifts to Baker Mayfield’s situation with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he’s under contract but without a new deal. The hosts praise Mayfield’s toughness and leadership, noting his ability to play through multiple injuries—oblique, shoulder, ankle, and knee—while starting every game. However, they caution that his refusal to rest may impair his performance and raise long-term health concerns. They also touch on the Buccaneers' struggles in 2025, including a late-season collapse and a disappointing defensive showing, suggesting internal issues beyond just Mayfield’s health. The episode concludes with a brief look at the Chiefs’ backup plan with Justin Fields, who’s been unfairly maligned due to his Jets tenure, and a deeper dive into Andrew Luck’s retirement, where a new claim by former teammate Eric Ebron is dismissed as unsubstantiated and contradicted by Luck himself. The hosts also address the Vikings’ interim GM situation, affirming it’s not a crisis.
Lamar Jackson’s voluntary return to the Ravens’ offseason program is a strong symbolic start, but his long-term commitment remains uncertain.
The Ravens’ failure to finalize Jackson’s $62 million per year extension raises questions about whether they’re exploiting his past reputation for unresponsiveness.
Baker Mayfield’s durability is admirable, but playing through multiple injuries may be harming his long-term effectiveness and team success.
The Buccaneers’ 2025 collapse likely stemmed from a combination of injuries, defensive struggles, and internal dysfunction, not just Mayfield’s health.
Justin Fields’ reputation has been unfairly tarnished by his Jets experience, despite being a proven, battle-tested backup quarterback.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Lamar Jackson’s Voluntary Return & Contract Uncertainty
“We don’t know why it hasn’t gotten done. And the history between the two is the perfect cover if the Ravens, if they’re as diabolical as everyone thought they were three weeks ago, this is a perfect opportunity for them to prove it by being the ones to drag their feet on the Lamar contract.”
Baker Mayfield’s Health, Leadership, and Buccaneers’ Struggles
“It's greatness to a fault. It's stubbornness to a fault. It's commitment to his craft to a fault because he keeps playing when he shouldn't be playing because of all the different injuries that he has.”
The Chiefs’ Backup Plan: Justin Fields and Mahomes’ Return
The hosts analyze the Chiefs’ decision to sign Justin Fields as a backup for Patrick Mahomes, who is recovering from a torn ACL. They argue that Fields has been unfairly maligned due to his Jets tenure and emphasize his experience, toughness, and ability to win games. They also express confidence that Mahomes will be ready for Week 1.
Andrew Luck’s Retirement: A New Claim Debunked
Former Colts teammate Eric Ebron claims that Chris Ballard pressured Andrew Luck to play in 2019, leading to his retirement. The hosts dismiss this claim as unsubstantiated, noting that Luck directly denied it and that such a dramatic story would have surfaced years ago if true.
Vikings’ GM Vacuum & Front Office Stability
The episode covers the Vikings’ decision to operate without a GM during the draft and free agency period, appointing Rob Brzezinski as interim leader. The hosts argue this is a smart move, noting the presence of experienced personnel like Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores to guide the process.
“We don’t know why it hasn’t gotten done. And the history between the two is the perfect cover if the Ravens, if they’re as diabolical as everyone thought they were three weeks ago, this is a perfect opportunity for them to prove it by being the ones to drag their feet on the Lamar contract.”
“It's greatness to a fault. It's stubbornness to a fault. It's commitment to his craft to a fault because he keeps playing when he shouldn't be playing because of all the different injuries that he has.”
“I would bet my house on it, you know? Yeah. Oh, absolutely. But the question is, is he going to be running around laterally and changing direction and putting stress on that knee? Not quite. That's a thing.”
Host
Lamar Jackson
person
Baker Mayfield
person
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
organization
Patrick Mahomes
person
Justin Fields
person
Andrew Luck
person
Kansas City Chiefs
organization
Jesse Minner
person
Chris Ballard
person
Declan Doyle
person
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