After two MVP awards and three first-team All-Pro nods, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is still hearing the same criticism that has followed him since his collegiate days. While analysts have largely moved on from calling him a running back, some still think he needs to develop into a pocket passer.
On a recent episode of "Get Up," NFL analyst Bart Scott tore into Jackson, claiming that the QB's No. 69 ranking in the NFL's Top 100 list was justified.
Scott said, “Rent is due every day, and the rent wasn’t paid by Lamar Jackson last year. And what you have to ask yourself is can Lamar Jackson adjust to being a pocket passer because we didn't see the explosive runs that he had last year."
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has changed his game, but nobody is noticing
We're not living in Greg Roman's power option offense anymore. While Jackson had over 100 designed rushing attempts in each of his first three seasons in the NFL, he only had 24 in 2025. The veteran quarterback has quietly become a much more traditional player in recent years.
Of course, he still threatens defenses as a runner. He surpassed 1,000 yards on the ground as recently as 2024. But the narrative that he is unable to operate as a pocket passer is unfounded.
In fact, Jackson led the NFL in EPA per play on pure dropback attempts in 2024. He was excellent in the pocket that year, finishing the season as the only quarterback in the league with a positive EPA per play when pressured.
Jackson has fully shown that he can operate as a pocket passer. He has become an efficient passer, especially when blitzed. He can access all areas of the field with his arm.
2025 was a down year for Jackson and for the Ravens as a whole. The offense took a major step back. Jackson was part of the problem, but he was still a more effective passer than analysts seem to believe. His completion rate of 63.6% was higher than that of more traditional QBs like Patrick Mahomes and Trevor Lawrence.
Jackson's step back last season was more likely the result of the injury issues that plagued him throughout the year than any career-altering trend. When healthy, he can still be effective both as a passer and as a runner. Ravens fans have every reason to believe in a bounce-back year for their quarterback in 2026.
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