Ravens Star Expresses Disappointment as Media Crossed a Line With ‘Not True’ Takes on Lamar Jackson

Is Lamar Jackson currently the most divisive figure in the NFL? Ask critics, and you’ll probably get a resounding YES. Probably because no other current quarterback has perhaps been equal parts successful and unsuccessful. Consider this: Jackson, a 2018 NFL Draft first-round pick and once the highest-paid QB in the league, has evidently failed to make a mark where it matters, per many. When it comes to playoff success, he stands at a 3-5 record…

It’s not bad—Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Peyton Manning went 3-6 in his first nine playoff games. But it’s definitely worrisome, because Manning ultimately had what Lamar still doesn’t: Lombardi Trophies. Notably, Jackson is the only multi-time NFL MVP yet to reach the Super Bowl, or even win one. While he has the league’s fourth-best regular-season record (70-24; .745), he also ranks 21st in the worst playoff records list (.375), with a 60.6 completion percentage, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. But why the struggle? Jackson blamed it on being too “excited” and “antsy” ahead of his postseason showdown vs the Pittsburgh Steelers last season.

Yet, it’s not like the Baltimore Ravens haven’t tried to help him by bolstering the offensive line with addition of stars like Tyler Linderbaum, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers and Roger Rosengarten. Unfortunately, things have somehow always failed to transpire. Now add to that Jackson missing his team’s OTAs for the second consecutive year, and discussions about his supposed lack of seriousness ran rampant. “I still don’t condone Lamar Jackson not being there with the Ravens,” said ProFootballTalk analyst Chris Simms. “I wish he was there right now. I don’t understand that as being the leader of the Ravens football team.” But no matter how intense the criticism, looks like Jackson’s teammates have always got his back.

The conversation started when Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey sat down for a conversation with Kevin Clark on NFL on ESPN on July 11, when the latter brought up media criticism. While Humphrey did understand it’s the critics’ “job” to do what they do, he still pointed out the unfair treatment his team’s quarterback is subjected to. “I think the only thing that does bother me is: One, when I see things that are just very, very, very not true about certain things. And then, two, not even about myself, really, [but] just [about] Lamar.

“Things really don’t bother me, but there are just so many things that just aren’t true about Lamar and just the takes of why this happened, why that happened. It’s more so I’ve always felt that it’s not equal across the board. I know life isn’t fair, but there are 31 quarterbacks that lost. That did not mean winning the Super Bowl, but there’s only like one or two that kind of get blamed for XYZ,” Humphrey said. “I feel like Lamar’s always in that category.”

Clark then asked Humphrey again, “Is there anything, a misconception specifically, that you’d like to clear up about Lamar when you hear these takes?” To this, the CB responded, “Anything involving Lamar and lack of leadership would be one…Like the dude’s humility is just, it’s crazy. I think it just makes everybody around him better just because he acts like he’s on the roster bubble for some reason [laughing]…With Lamar, like the way he acts, it makes you just relax.”

Notably, this comes days after Rashod Bateman had told The Athletic‘s Jeff Zrebiec, “Whatever they say about Lamar is kind of mind-boggling to us in general. If you watched the dude’s highlight tape in college, he threw the ball really, really well. You watch in the NFL, and he’s throwing the ball better than most quarterbacks since he’s been playing. I think they are definitely caught up in him not getting to the Super Bowl, but honestly, that’s hard to even say.”

“There’s 11 people playing, and it’s hard to put it all on the quarterback, even though that’s the leader of the team. If you really watch football, Lamar does a lot. He gives people jobs, and he saves people’s jobs. Lamar is a special, special generational talent,” the wide receiver had further said.

But how does Jackson himself handle all of this?

Lamar Jackson talks about dealing with criticism

Balancing a highly competitive game with off-field life, especially amid constant criticism from the media and sometimes even former players, can be exhausting. At times, this pressure breaks players down. It’s no surprise that some choose to take social media breaks before big games. So, instead of dwelling on losses, he draws strength from milestones, like reaching the AFC Championship in 2023 after years.

“I mean, I’m motivating myself because I know what I want to do at the end of the day. Those guys have their time. I really don’t care what the criticism is, what the critics say because at the end of the day, I just came off a season-ending injury the year before and we made it all the way to the AFC [Championship Game] in a new system,” he said.

Injuries have been a big issue in Jackson’s career. After losing to the Bills 17-3 in the divisional round in 2021, he has struggled with his injuries, which have stopped him from playoffs for two more years. His 3-5 record in the playoffs is problematic and the cause behind the constant criticism. There also hasn’t been much support from the Ravens to elevate their offense, which could help their quarterback.

He might have missed the OTAs last season, too. However, he never gave his critics a chance to drag that one issue. He threw for 4,172 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, and had four interceptions in the 2024 season. People deemed his performance MVP-worthy! And he will likely replicate the same success this season. Now, focusing on the present, the question is whether he can break the playoff curse.

Rather than obsess over the playoff loss, Jackson chooses to learn from his mistakes and move forward. Heading into the 2025 season, he has the same motivation, especially about teaming up with veteran star DeAndre Hopkins. Though the criticism might not cease, Jackson will need that same drive this year, as his chance to finally silence the doubters feels more real than ever.