"He's average at best" - Packers Super Bowl champ wants Lamar Jackson to embrace criticism after 2x MVP claps back
On Tuesday, Lamar Jackson hit back at former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman over criticism of his playoff performances. However, Green Bay Packers Super Bowl champion James Jones wants the two-time NFL MVP to embrace the criticism and not duck it.
On Wednesday's episode of FS1's "Speak," Jones said that the criticism of Jackson was fair. He drew parallels with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a Super Bowl champion and four-time MVP who still has a bad reputation for choking in the playoffs.
"Lamar Jackson, embrace it, because the criticism is not going anywhere" Jones said. "If you go to the Super Bowl this year and you win a couple playoff games, and next year, you come into the season and you get to the playoffs and you lose in the first round. You know what they going to say? Lamar Jackson don't deliver in the playoffs. Look at these numbers, because these numbers are going to be similar."
Jones continued, explaining that the criticism will be for Jackson until he enters the Hall of Fame or goes to the Super Bowl consecutively for the next five years. The former Packers WR asked Jackson to accept the criticism.
"He's average at best. Are we keeping it 100? Lamar Jackson is one of my favorite players. At best in the playoffs, he's average... So he has to accept the criticism and go out here and make sure, 'Hey man, y'all think I can't do this? Watch this.' He has to do that. But the criticism is absolutely fair, because he's not the Lamar Jackson that we're used to seeing in the playoffs versus the regular season."
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson's playoff record explored
Is the criticism of Lamar Jackson fair? The Baltimore Ravens quarterback has been one of the best in the league in the regular season. Since entering the league in 2018, Jackson has thrown for 15,887 yards, 125 touchdowns and 45 interceptions, with a passer rating of 98.0.
Jackson has made four visits to the postseason and not reciprocated the same performance. The three-time Pro Bowler has thrown for 1,324 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions with a passer rating of 75.7. He has two playoff wins and four playoff losses.
Lamar Jackson is yet to reach a Super Bowl. As things stand, his current postseason resume does not look impressive, and the Baltimore Ravens QB has to do more to help his argument.