The debate surrounding Lamar Jackson’s status as a top quarterback in the NFL has intensified recently. According to a participant in ESPN’s annual quarterback survey of executives, coaches, and scouts, Jackson no longer ranks in the top 10. Colin Cowherd from Fox Sports Radio shares this sentiment, expressing doubt in Jackson’s reliability during crucial moments.
Cowherd’s skepticism is mirrored by his personal ranking of the league’s best quarterbacks, which notably excludes Jackson. Instead, Cowherd’s list includes names like Josh Allen of the Bills and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs.
Jackson’s accomplishments over the past seven seasons make his exclusion controversial. He has claimed two MVP awards and dominated the regular season. This has bolstered his MVP odds compared to others listed ahead of him.
Nonetheless, criticism is not unfounded. Jackson’s recent performance raises questions. Last season, he played 13 games and averaged 196.1 passing yards per game, which fell below expectations compared to other quarterbacks like Michael Penix Jr. and Geno Smith. His potential 21 touchdown passes over a full season would have been average. His rushing ability, typically a strength, also declined with only 349 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Injuries may have contributed, and a return to former glory remains possible. However, the decline could be more definitive. Similar declines have been observed with quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and Cam Newton.
Jackson’s style, relying heavily on athletic prowess, can impact longevity, contrasting quarterbacks relying on pocket aggression. Even if Jackson recovers his form, postseason performance concerns persist. His playoff record stands at 3-5, with a completion rate of 60.6%, and an 84.6 passer rating.
These stats give merit to Cowherd’s preference for Bo Nix in pivotal moments. Nix demonstrated clutch performance capabilities in a playoff game, which Jackson has struggled to exhibit.
If the biggest-game performance outweighs other considerations, excluding Jackson from the top 10 becomes plausible. Questions loom about Jackson’s health, potential athletic decline, adaptability with new coaching, and future commitment to football.
These doubts don’t impact other top quarterbacks like Mahomes, Allen, and Burrow to the same extent. Evaluating whether Jackson fits among quarterbacks like Jordan Love and Jared Goff is reasonable.
Ultimately, questioning Jackson’s top-10 status remains valid until consistent performance in critical situations materializes.