MVP Legends Assess the Challenges of Lamar Jackson's 2025 Season

Lamar Jackson's Rollercoaster Season

In the Baltimore Ravens' season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Lamar Jackson showcased a glimpse of his former MVP self, launching spectacular touchdown passes and demonstrating his signature elusiveness. Yet, this performance merely masked the frustrations that characterized his entire season. The Ravens finished with an 8-9 record, igniting discussions about what went wrong during the year.

Insights from NFL MVPs

To gain clarity on Jackson's tumultuous journey, I consulted three past NFL MVP quarterbacks: Rich Gannon, Matt Ryan, and Kurt Warner. Each shared their take on the myriad issues that plagued Jackson—be it injuries, reduced practice time, or struggles in offensive coordination.

"I don't think it's any one thing when you look at him," said Gannon, now an analyst on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Injury Woes

Jackson's season was marred by a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs. After this injury, the Ravens' scoring prowess plummeted; they averaged fewer than 30 points across Jackson's remaining starts. His impact diminished significantly, and questions loomed large: Where was the dynamic quarterback who had dazzled the league?

Statistical Decline

In Jackson's first three starts, Baltimore topped the league in scoring, averaging 37 points per game. But following his injury, that offensive firepower seemed extinguished, culminating in a disheartening stretch where Jackson averaged a mere 177 passing yards over six games.

Challenges in the Pocket

"Even when you're available to play, it's just hard to be sharp when you're not practicing and missing time during the week,” noted Ryan, the 2016 MVP.

Jackson's poor performance didn't stem solely from individual shortcomings; the offensive line's struggles compounded the issue. Gannon remarked, "When quarterbacks get knocked around, they can only perform at their best occasionally. Every hit, hurry, and knockdown adds pressure that influences decision-making."

Precision Pass Rate Deteriorates

Jackson's declining accuracy has raised eyebrows. His precision pass rate plummeted to an alarming 48.7%, his lowest since his rookie year, sparking concerns over whether he could regain his MVP form.

The Impact of Practice Time

Warner was skeptical. "Less practice shouldn't significantly impact Jackson, who has adequate familiarity with his offense,” he explained.

However, all MVPs agreed that missing practice time, while detrimental, is only one slice of the pie. Ryan added that the lack of synchronized practice leads to miscommunication and missed opportunities that are hard to recover from during live games.

Rushing Attempts Decline

The most glaring change in Jackson's game from previous seasons was the sharp decline in his rushing attempts. On average, he carried the ball only 5.2 times per game last season, a stark contrast to his career averages, diminishing his threat as a dual-threat quarterback.

Pressure from All Sides

“No one can put all the blame on Jackson,” Gannon said, highlighting the importance of a quarterback's supporting cast.

With a noticeable uptick in pressures—37.1% of his dropbacks—Jackson was often left vulnerable in the pocket. So poor was the Ravens' offensive line that Jackson was sacked on nearly 10% of his dropbacks, his worst rate to date. Meanwhile, he faced constant duress, leading to more erratic decision-making.

Looking Ahead

Despite the turmoil, there's hope. New head coach Jesse Minter aims to rejuvenate Jackson's game, proposing a system where he feels less like Superman and more like a relaxed playmaker. But can Jackson revert to the elite levels of his MVP seasons?

Final Thoughts

“I believe he can still win a Super Bowl, but the competition is fierce,” Ryan said, underscoring the reality of Jackson's ever-growing challenges.

As discussions swirl around Jackson, the larger issues at play cannot be ignored. The Ravens must prioritize improving the offensive line and generating a balanced attack that allows Jackson to utilize his full skill set. Whether he can bounce back and reclaim his status as an elite quarterback remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Baltimore's future hinges on their ability to support their most unique talent.