Cam Newton asserts Lamar Jackson can't be the face of NFL without one key Patrick Mahomes factor
Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes have been two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL’s current generation. They both have pulled the standard of the game by its collar. However, as per Cam Newton, there can only be one face of the NFL.
With Tom Brady finally retiring after the 2022 season, a gap was left open to become the face of the NFL. Nonetheless, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson have raised their hands as candidates.
However, on his podcast, ‘4th & One,’ Newton gave his criteria to be considered in the running for the face of the league.
“I don't think any player can be the face of any league without championships. And someone will say, ‘Don't you feel like you were the face of the league when you won MVP?’ No, I don't think I was the face of the league.
“Even though I was the best player in the league, that doesn't mean that you're the face of the league.” [ 01:15:15 – 01:15:22]
Newton directed the same thoughts at the QBs of today namely, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. Newton said:
“Now, in modern day, somebody was to say, ‘Who is the face of the NFL right now?’ Patrick Mahomes. For as great as Lamar Jackson is and has been, there's never been a point in time where somebody has dominated the MVP race and polls of unanimous winner like Lamar Jackson.
“But it's still Patrick Mahomes because of one reason and one reason only: three Super Bowl rings. There's never a moment in time where you can be a face of a league without no championship rings.” [01:17:05 – 01:17:45]
Mahomes and Jackson have claimed the NFL MVP honors twice, however, Mahomes leads in Lombardi Trophies. He has three while Jackson is still waiting for his first Super Bowl triumph.
Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson head-to-head
Even though there’s only a one-year gap between the two QBs, they never faced off against each other at the collegiate level. In the NFL, they have shared the gridiron on five occasions, and Mahomes has come out on top four times. He did so in their only postseason meeting last season as well.
However, Lamar Jackson will have a chance to get revenge for the AFC championship loss earlier this year as the Ravens travel to the Chiefs on September 5 to kick off the NFL’s 2024 season.