Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson shared a positive outlook on the team‘s offensive progress as training camp unfolds. Speaking to Pro Football Talk, Jackson highlighted that while there is always room for growth, the offense is currently on track to meet expectations. His remarks provide a hopeful snapshot for fans eager to see the Ravens’ attack come together this season.
“I feel like our offense, there’s always room for improvement in camp,”
Jackson said.
“We have good days; we have bad days; we have OK days; we have great days, but I feel like there’s always room for improvement. We’re right where we need to be right now.”
—Lamar Jackson, Ravens QB
Bengals Camp Features Rising Talent and Veteran Ambitions
The Cincinnati Bengals are showcasing significant developments during their camp, with Head Coach Zac Taylor noting the impact of wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase as a vital challenge for the defense. Taylor emphasized the competitive atmosphere Chase brings, which motivates the defense to elevate their performance.
“A lot of it’s good to have that kind of energy at practice,”
Taylor said, via the NY Times.
“And Ja’Marr’s a hard guy to make plays on, and so any way, shape or form you’re involved in any sort of play that maybe falls incomplete, guys may never get that opportunity again to say something. Sometimes they gotta take advantage of it … the competitive emphasis has been fun for me to see.”
—Zac Taylor, Bengals HC
In addition, rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart is adjusting after missing much of the offseason due to a holdout. Defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery detailed Stewart’s focus on fundamentals, emphasizing the learning curve at this stage of his rookie year.
“Stance. Alignment. Eyes. Feet. Hands. How we want to rush the quarterback. Where we want to get our eyes and toes to,”
Montgomery said.
“There’s just so much he’s oblivious to because he’s learning. He just got here. But you see the flashes.”
—Jerry Montgomery, Bengals DL Coach
Montgomery noted Stewart’s raw talent, including his ability to run past experienced players, but stressed the importance of discipline within the defense system. The coach remains optimistic Stewart will grow into a prominent contributor.
“He ran by Orlando,” Montgomery said. “Orlando has been playing a lot of football, he’s a great tackle. The first couple of days all (Stewart) wanted to do was run down the middle of people. That’s the easy part. Let’s teach you how to work edges then we’ll come back to that.
“Hopefully soon enough we’ll see a guy playing with his hair on fire. It’s going to be hard. He’s 280 pounds, can run, he’s violent, he’s physical. Now he’s playing with good fundamentals. Now he’s controlling the line of scrimmage. That’s the goal … He’s nowhere near where he’s going to get to if he continues to buy into the process and the preparation and learning how to play at this level. You just can’t run around and do whatever you want. He’s got to play within the system, and we are teaching him that.”
—Jerry Montgomery, Bengals DL Coach
Bengals tight end Noah Fant, a recent addition to the roster, expressed enthusiasm about joining a team with championship aspirations and a winning culture.
“That’s definitely a known thing,” Fant said regarding expectations for contribution and compensation.
“Obviously, that is one of the enticing things about coming here. Hopefully, I’m able to do so. First and foremost, help the team win. They have big dreams and aspirations here of winning the Super Bowl. I want to help do that and be part of a winning culture.”
—Noah Fant, Bengals TE
Updates and Insights from Cleveland Browns Training Camp
The Cleveland Browns are managing various quarterback situations in camp. Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders returned to practice following arm soreness, attributing the discomfort to the physical demands of frequent starting and stopping movements.
Sanders commented,
“is just adjusting to starting and stopping, honestly…my arm and body weren’t used to that.”
—Shedeur Sanders, Browns QB
Sanders has requested that his father avoid attending camp to prevent media distractions, as reported by Aditi Kinkhabwala.
Cleveland’s offensive coordinator Tommy Rees confirmed that starting quarterback Kenneth Pickett remains part of the quarterback competition despite a hamstring injury that sidelined him last week. Rees also praised the overall performance of the QB group, which includes third-round pick Dillon Gabriel.
“All four guys have had real positive days and some days they haven’t practiced as well as they want to. We try to look at it in totality.”
—Tommy Rees, Browns OC
Regarding media speculation, Rees remained focused on the team’s internal progress, stating,
“We will save all our overreactions for you guys and stay on target inside our building.”
—Tommy Rees, Browns OC
Head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Gabriel would be limited in Monday’s practice due to hamstring tightness.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz expressed high regard for cornerback Denzel Ward, comparing him favorably to all corners he has coached over his NFL career.
“I’ve had some good corners in the past. He’s probably the best corner I’ve had in my 30-something years in the NFL.”
—Jim Schwartz, Browns DC
Steelers Receiver Highlights the Challenge of Competing Against a Strong Defense
Wide receiver D.K. Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers described the team’s defense as one of the toughest he has faced in his career, crediting cornerbacks like Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, and Darius Slay for pushing him to improve every day.
“That reckless defense that we’ve got on the other side of the ball, every play I get to go against JPJ, Jalen or Slay, so I’m always getting better in that aspect,”
Metcalf said on NFL Network.
“I think they’re the best defense I’ve ever seen. They come to work every day and we don’t have any choice but to get better.”
—D.K. Metcalf, Steelers WR
Significance and Expectations Moving Forward
As training camps progress, Lamar Jackson’s optimism about the Ravens’ offense reflects a pivotal moment of growth and readiness ahead of the NFL season. Meanwhile, the Bengals’ infusion of young talents like Shemar Stewart and the addition of Noah Fant highlight a team positioning itself for deeper playoff contention.
The Browns continue to navigate quarterback competition while benefiting from standout defensive performances, signaling a balanced approach to both sides of the ball. The Steelers’ emphasis on their defensive strength aims to maintain their reputation as a formidable opponent.
These ongoing developments across multiple teams reinforce the intense preparation and competitive spirit fueling the NFL’s 2024 season aspirations. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as these players and coaches translate camp progress into regular-season success.