Declan Doyle sends clear message to Lamar Jackson about offseason workouts - NBC Sports

While new Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle emphasized the importance of offseason workouts, he didn't single out any players.

While new Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle emphasized the importance of offseason workouts, he didn't single out one player.

He didn't need it.

Doyle was undoubtedly talking about quarterback Lamar Jackson and him.

"We expect [the players] to be here and of course it's voluntary," Doyle said.

The statement is not entirely in line with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which states: "No club official can tell a player that the coaching session or training session is not voluntary."

And when Doyle added that the offseason program is "voluntary," the entire sentence makes the point clear.He "expects" players to volunteer.

The voluntary nature of seasonal training is a collective bargaining agreement.However, many players jump at the chance to stay away, which is why teams use workout bonuses or other contract clauses to induce players to volunteer.

For Jackson, the contract includes $750,000 in annual performance bonuses from 2024 to 2027.

As the Ravens approach the new league year, as Jackson's salary increases from $43.5 million to $74.5 million, the Ravens hope to extend his contract.According to Doyle, they also believe that Jackson will be an option for the team's offseason program.

The clock is ticking on a new deal.Owner Steve Bisciotti said the Ravens will exercise their discretion to restructure the contract and cut the cap without it.It probably won't be much to persuade Jackson to give up another $750,000 in a critical offseason for a new coaching staff.A new deal at market level may be in order.

Despite all of this, no one knows what Jackson really thinks of the new coaching staff.No one knows what Jackson Doyle thinks about applying subtle pressure to a quarterback who has the power to be gone in two years.

And that's basic, even if most Ravens fans don't want to admit it.Jackson can opt to earn $104 million (or $102.5 million if he skips the optional season) over the next two seasons and become a free agent.Only a new contract will prevent that from happening.