The NFL’s annual Top 100 list came out, and the Baltimore Ravens’ franchise quarterback took a historic tumble. Lamar Jackson fell 67 spots from last year’s ranking, landing at No. 88. That’s not just a bad look. It’s the kind of drop that gets people asking serious questions about what’s next.
Bart Scott, the former Ravens linebacker and current ESPN analyst, didn’t sugarcoat it on Tuesday’s Get Up. He said Jackson simply didn’t earn his keep last season.
“Success in this league is rented, not owned, and the rent’s due every day. The rent wasn’t paid by Lamar Jackson last year,” Scott said.
Scott pointed to something specific: Jackson’s legs. The guy who used to bend angles and make defenders miss in the open field was getting tackled one-on-one in space. That’s not the Jackson we’ve watched for years.
Injuries and a down year
Jackson missed four games last season with hamstring and back problems. His numbers tell the story. He threw for 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Fine for a lot of quarterbacks. Not for a two-time MVP. His rushing numbers were the worst of his career: 67 carries for 349 yards and just two scores.
That’s the thing about athletic quarterbacks. Eventually the hits add up. Scott did the math himself.
“Lamar Jackson has 1,081 rushing attempts. Cam Newton throughout his career had 1,118. Has the wear and tear started catching up with an athletic quarterback?”
It’s a fair question. Newton went from MVP to perpetually injured and out of the league in a few short years. Jackson isn’t there yet, but the trajectory is worth watching.
What happens with a new coordinator
The Ravens hired Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator this offseason. He’s Jackson’s third coordinator in four years. That’s a lot of turnover for any quarterback, especially one still trying to figure out how to evolve as a passer when his legs aren’t as dominant.
Scott put it bluntly: “Can Lamar Jackson adjust to being a pocket passer?”
We’ll start getting answers when training camp opens later this month. Baltimore’s offense is going to look different. The question is whether Jackson can still be the guy who terrifies defensive coordinators, or if the league has finally caught up to him.
One thing’s already clear. The players who voted on this list didn’t see the old version of Lamar Jackson last season. And the new version hasn’t shown them anything yet.
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