In the dynamic world of the NFL, athleticism and strategy are constantly evolving, as evident from the thoughtful adjustments made by two of the AFC’s leading quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins. Both athletes faced bitter ends to their remarkable runs last season, each falling to the Chiefs, who clinched their second consecutive Super Bowl championship.
Their response? A significant transformation in their physical conditioning for the 2024 season, aiming for agility over bulk.
Lamar Jackson, the Ravens’ powerhouse and the 2023 NFL MVP, has notably reduced his weight. Reports from The Athletic highlight that Jackson entered the offseason team activities noticeably lighter, presenting at 205 pounds.
This adjustment marks a 10-pound drop from his 2023 playing weight and a more significant plunge of 25 pounds from his weight in 2022. Standing at 6 feet and 2 inches, Jackson’s decision to slim down is strategic, enhancing his already formidable reputation as the league’s most dynamic dual-threat QB.
In parallel, Tua Tagovailoa is also undergoing a transformation, as reported by NFL Media. The Dolphins’ quarterback has shed roughly 10-15 pounds from his previous season’s weight, now standing at 220 pounds. At 6 feet and 1 inch, Tagovailoa’s lighter frame is designed to boost his maneuverability, hoping to outmaneuver opponents and evade the kind of tackles that have led to injuries in the past.
Concerns over durability, given their substantial weight loss, seem to be outweighed by the advantages of increased agility, especially considering the formidable defensive challenges posed by teams like the Chiefs. Both the Ravens and the Dolphins remain optimistic that this change will not compromise Jackson’s and Tagovailoa’s resilience but instead empower their gameplay.
Beyond physical adjustments, the spotlight is also on Tagovailoa’s off-field negotiations. Echoing a scenario once navigated by Jackson, Tagovailoa, the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is in the crucial phase of discussing an extension as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
While Jackson took a unique approach by negotiating directly without an agent — a move that concluded with a record five-year, $260 million deal with the Ravens on the very day of the 2023 NFL Draft — Tagovailoa is taking a more conventional path. He has entrusted the negotiations to his agent, focusing his efforts on the field during the offseason.
As these two quarterbacks recalibrate their physical conditions and navigate the complexities of contract negotiations, their actions underscore a relentless pursuit of excellence and adaptation. The forthcoming season presents an opportunity for both Jackson and Tagovailoa to translate their off-season endeavors into on-field success, challenging their limits and setting new standards in their already impressive careers.