Ravens' Monken lauds Lamar: 'He's underrated as a passer'

New Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken commended Lamar Jackson on Tuesday amid uncertainty over the star quarterback's future with the team.

"He's got an elite skill set," Monken said, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "I think he's underrated as a passer in terms of his ability to make plays and throw it down the field. I'm no different than you. I've watched what you guys watch, and it's pretty amazing."

The Ravens, however, reportedly didn't give candidates for the offensive coordinator job full assurances that Jackson would return in 2023.

The former league MVP is scheduled to become a free agent and is expected to receive the franchise tag. Monken brushed off concerns that if Jackson doesn't agree to a long-term deal this offseason, he could hold out and then might struggle to learn a new offense in limited time.

"Sure, he'll be behind, but it's still just football," Monken said. "Sometimes we make this out to be way too much. We'll cater to what he knows and play."

Monken helped Georgia win back-to-back national titles before taking the Baltimore job earlier in February. He replaces Greg Roman, who stepped down after four seasons as offensive coordinator.

Jackson posted career highs in completion percentage (66.1%), passing touchdowns (36), and passer rating (113.3) during his 2019 MVP campaign. He hasn't been able to replicate those passing figures in any of the three seasons since then. Jackson threw for 2,242 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, seven interceptions and completed 62.3% of his passes in a 2022 season that was cut short due to a knee injury.