Is this a crucial year for Lamar Jackson?

By Trevor Speetzen January 18, 2025 01:54 GMT+4 min read

Lamar Jackson has been the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens since his rookie season in 2018. In college, Jackson attended the University of Louisville and he ended up winning the Heisman Trophy in 2016 as a sophomore.

After spending the 2017 season in college, Jackson was eventually drafted by the Ravens with the 32nd overall pick. Entering his rookie year, Jackson began the season as a backup to long time Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco.

Eventually, Jackson took over the reins and led the Ravens to the playoffs that very same season. Ever since taking over for Flacco, Jackson and the Ravens haven’t looked back since.

Jackson’s tenure in Baltimore has been a successful one for both him and the organization. With Jackson at quarterback, Baltimore has made the playoffs every year since he took over except for 2021.

Jackson himself has been awarded numerous accolades since becoming a Raven: he’s a four-time pro bowler, three-time all-pro team member and has won the NFL league MVP in 2019 and 2023.

Lamar’s success on the field has made him one of the more entertaining and polarizing players in the NFL. His dual-threat ability has made him one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

Under Jackson, Baltimore has won four division titles, which occurred in 2018, 2019, 2023 and 2024. While they’ve had a lot of regular season success together, their postseason success has been a different story.

Jackson has been in the league for seven seasons, but he’s only won three playoff games; once in 2020, once in 2023 and just recently against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.

Jackson and the Ravens have been named the AFC top seeded team twice, in 2019 and 2023. Both times have been squandered with Baltimore being a first round exit in 2023.

The farthest that Jackson has taken the Ravens was the AFC championship game in 2023. The team had home-field advantage against the defending AFC and Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Unfortunately, the Ravens were unable to capitalize and fell to the Chiefs 17-10. It’s also worth noting that Jackson was ruled out in the 2022 wild card game against the Cincinnati Bengals due to PCL injury he suffered in the regular season.

Despite the regular season success, it’s clear that Jackson has struggled in the big moments. While Jackson has already passed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he and the Ravens will still have a hill to climb with the Chiefs and Buffalo Bills still alive in the playoffs.

This is a crucial year for Jackson to prove that he can get it done in the big game. With Derrick Henry joining him in the backfield this season, there are almost no excuses for Jackson and the Ravens to choke in the playoffs again.

If Jackson were to place his name in NFL history, then he must live up to those regular season accolades and finally get it done when it matters most. He’s been in the league for a long time now and it’s time to make his staple.