2016 was when I was introduced to Lamar Jackson. He was a star coming into his own for the Louisville Cardinals. He was the most electrifying player in the country, by far. For his outstanding season that year, he was awarded the Heisman Trophy and rightfully so. Two seasons later, he decided to declare for the NFL Draft. What have I always said about the draft? It’s the one time where you must truly expect the unexpected. Many thought Lamar would be a top 10 or 15 pick. The Baltimore Ravens drafted the young Quarterback with the final pick of the first round during that 2018 draft. Dating back to last season, the question was would Lamar play elsewhere in 2023? Or would he be back in Baltimore? The rumors can now be silenced! The Ravens were able to finally agree on contractual terms with their MVP Quarterback! A five-year deal worth $260 million with $185 million guaranteed. He’s now surpassed Jalen Hurts as the highest-paid player in the league today.
Lamar is one of the most electrifying players in the league when he’s healthy and on the field. He is also one of the best Quarterbacks in our game. Many have made comparisons to Michael Vick which is fair because each Quarterback was blessed to use their feet and beat you in the open field. However, I always say Lamar is a more developed version of Vick and I say that because Michael couldn’t throw the football as consistently as Lamar at this age (26 years old). As a defense, you sat in the box and dared him to beat you (Michael). Lamar maneuvers himself out of crazy situations as if he were a wizard. When facing him as a defender, patience is key because if you bite down too quickly, he’s up the field. The ability he displays to escape just amazes me because it makes me say “how on God’s green earth did he do that”? You always want to contain him before he gets started because if you don’t, he will make anyone miss and make your defense pay. Lamar is one of the more dangerous players in the league with the football in his hands. He’s also one of the more difficult players to tackle when he hits the open field and presents that question on how to tackle him because he has tricks in his bag. The one thing I don’t think he gets credit for is the vision he displays in the pocket when dropping back to throw. Lamar scans and reads the entire field. On play action passes, that’s when he’s at his best and has an advantage because the defense doesn’t know whether he’s going to run and take off, or Mark Andrews is running behind the linebackers and he’s getting the football. A perfect example of the vision I just mentioned was on full display during a regular season game against the Cleveland Browns in 2021. Cleveland sent what’s called a delayed blitz which pushed Lamar back. He was able to remain on his feet and found a wide-open Mark Andrews for a touchdown. In other words, he knows how to keep plays alive.
I’m thrilled that he got this extension. Here’s a fun fact. Last season with Lamar, the Ravens offense averaged 28 points per game. Without him, that average was cut in half to 14. At one point when he was injured, the Baltimore offense scored a lone total of four touchdowns and during that stretch, they averaged 12 points per game. I still remember Lamar’s MVP season. He took the league by storm that season and was named the first unanimous MVP in league history. The guy that many said should switch his position is now the highest-paid player in the league. Not bad for a Running Back, right?
