Jesse Minter Discusses Whether Lamar Jackson Should Run More Next Season
Head Coach Jesse Minter has largely chosen to keep his conversations with quarterback Lamar Jackson private, but he did shed some light on the developing relationship during an appearance on ESPN’s “The Rich Eisen Show” Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“I feel like the relationship is off to a great start and headed in a great direction,” Minter said, adding that Jackson spoke with him via Zoom during the head coach interview process. “He wanted to hear my vision for him, the offense, the team.”
As to what his vision is for Jackson, Minter said it’s “really just building a system that allows him to thrive and be the MVP caliber player that he’s been.”
Minter was asked if Jackson needs to run more. Jackson, the all-time and single-season record-holder for rushing yards by a quarterback, posted career lows in carries (67), yards (349), and touchdowns (two) this past season.
“I don’t know if he needs to run more. I actually think there’s times where he can run less,” Minter said. “If you build an offense that takes advantage of the under center, the downhill run game, now that opens up a lot of boots and play action. And then, the great quarterbacks have that ability on the key play to execute the second play. So, the first play is maybe not there. It’s not the perfect play call. Now, he can take advantage of that with his athleticism, his skill set. That’s what he’s always been able to do and will continue to be able to do.
“I think there’s high leverage moments where the quarterback’s willing to do what he needs to do to win the game, or win the play, or whatever it might be. And then I think there’s times where, you know, this is a franchise player. This is a guy you want to be the quarterback for a long, long time. And so, there’s a health element and a protection element that needs to be in place to where he’s not taking some of the hits that he doesn’t need to. So, I think it’s a great balance there. You want him to be what’s made him great.”
