"He’ll be a 1 as a football player, but not as a quarterback" - NFL fans baffled by statement made by coach downplaying Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is a unique talent. He won the NFL MVP award in 2019 after leading the Ravens to a 13-2 record and throwing for 36 touchdowns, just nine interceptions and 3,127 yards. He also rushed for 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns for good measure.
But one NFL defensive coordinator isn't buying into Jackson's hype. The coach, who chose to remain anonymous, said that the Ravens star could win 12 MVP awards and would still not be the best quarterback in the league in his opinion.
In an article published by Mike Sando of The Athletic, the coach said:
"If [Lamar Jackson] has to pass to win the game, they ain’t winning the game. He’s so unique as an athlete and he’s really a good football player, but I don’t (care) if he wins the league MVP 12 times, I don’t think he’ll ever be a 1 as a quarterback. He’ll be a 1 as a football player, but not as a quarterback."
holy shit!! what a truly ignorant quote on Lamar Jackson from a current NFL DC https://t.co/CnZxJ72SiC
As expected, the comments did not sit well with NFL fans. One of them stated that the criticism leveled at Jackson was simply because he "threatens the existence" of white quarterbacks.
"Because his existence threatens the white QB 🤷🏼♂️ it’s literally the only thing I can come up with at this point… also once people get their idea of “who you are” in their head, it’s tough to knock it out sometimes…"
@NFL_DovKleiman @Lj_era8 Because his existence threatens the white QB 🤷🏼♂️ it’s literally the only thing I can come up with at this point… also once people get their idea of “who you are” in their head, it’s tough to knock it out sometimes…
Other fans simply could not believe what they had read. Here are some of the best reactions to the defensive co-ordinator's statement:
@NFL_DovKleiman @Lj_era8 i was mad The Patriots didn’t take Lamar and traded the pick to the Ravens. Lamar can BALL
@NFL_DovKleiman @Lj_era8 Let me get this straight 12 mvps but not a top qb ? Wtf am I reading
@NFL_DovKleiman @Lj_era8 Hes 23 ! We have had so many problems advancing! How many times did it take Payton or brady! Hes been smoking by lamar and hes probably been let go from ravens! Cuz he blows
@SharpFootball It’s not ignorant, it’s just racist.
And honestly media colleagues need to stop giving attention to this from media colleagues either too scared to name these anonymous cowards, or they are just making up quotes.
These aren’t national security anonymous whistleblowers. twitter.com/sharpfootball/…
@SharpFootball You see they won’t attach a name to the statement. Anyone can pump their chest out when they’re Anonymous
@SharpFootball How that DC evaluates QB talent. https://t.co/XPjevmRayN
@SharpFootball lamar is a top 5-8 qb easily maybe higher tbh
@ttristcn @SharpFootball 🤦🏻🤦🏻 Lamar is a top 10 QB in the league. He’s a former MVP.
@SharpFootball Good thing he chose to remain anonymous. Would have been a fireable offense.
Some signal callers get judged on what they do in the playoffs and not the regular season. Jackson has a 37-12 record in the regular season, but is 1-3 in the postseason.
That needs to change if people want to consider the Louisville standout a top quarterback.
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will hope to bounce back next season
The Ravens missed the playoffs last season and that is due in part to Lamar Jackson missing the last few games. He was 7-5 last season before his injury and threw 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
In the 2022-23 campaign, there will need to be a better output from the team as a whole. The Ravens were ravaged by injuries and COVID-19, especially at the running back position, last season. They will hope to put all of that behind them in the upcoming campaign.
When fit and firing, the Ravens are a tough team to get a handle on as they can beat opponents in multiple ways.
For Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, a return to the playoffs should be the minimum requirement. But there is also a lingering contract issue that needs to be sorted out first.