Davante Adams Says Lamar Jackson Is the ‘Best Ball Carrier Ever’

It’s not just opposing defenses who have a difficult time preparing for Jackson. He is such a unique talent that his receivers also have a learning curve.

Rashod Bateman is a prime example. He gained a reputation for being a precise route runner at the University of Minnesota, where his quarterback, Tanner Morgan, was a self-described game manager. Jackson, conversely, is one of the NFL’s best improvisers.

“There’s nothing in the world that can prepare you for Lamar Jackson,” Bateman’s trainer, Romaz Jones, told The Baltimore Banner’s Giana Han. “He’s an MVP for a reason, but going from a traditional style to that, it takes adjustment and hard work and understanding you can’t control it, so you just got to adjust to it.”

Bateman put in the hard work with Jones this offseason.

“[Jackson’s] one of the most agile and creative players in the league, but that means his throws can look different than those from a traditional quarterback as he escapes the pocket and buys time,” Han wrote. “And Bateman needs to catch the ball no matter the situation. So Bateman and Jones consciously added an element of unpredictability into an otherwise disciplined offseason.”

Largely because Bateman’s been hampered by injuries since the Ravens selected him in the first round in 2021, his reps with Jackson have been limited, which has made building chemistry with Jackson a challenge.

“Lamar’s a special player, so you just got to be able to adjust,” Bateman said. “I haven’t played with him a lot because of my injuries, so I’m learning now more about him, and he’s learning more about me, about what I’ll do on certain stuff, and I know what to expect him to do on certain stuff.”