It’s incredible to say, considering he’s already won two NFL MVP awards, but Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson is coming off the best season of his career. He set career highs in passing yards with 4,172 and touchdown passes with 41. He also rushed for 915 yards, forming a dominant duo with Derrick Henry. You’d think that would have been enough for him to win MVP again, but that wasn’t the case.
In a tight race, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen took home the award over Jackson, despite Jackson leading Allen in every statistical category. Pro Football Focus graded Jackson as the best player of the 2024 season—not just the best quarterback, but the best player overall. CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin ranked every quarterback who started a game in 2024, and Jackson sat at the top of the list. His own general manager agrees that he should have been MVP.
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, Eric DeCosta reiterated his thoughts on Jackson’s MVP snub and reaffirmed his commitment to the Ravens’ franchise quarterback. DeCosta said:
Eric DeCosta on Lamar Jackson
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) February 25, 2025
“Lamar is Lamar. He’s a two-time MVP, in my opinion should have been three-time MVP” pic.twitter.com/gPwWqatG7W
"I mean Lamar's Lamar. He's a two-time MVP, should've been a three-time MVP. So, different status. I think you have to earn those kind of rights"
DeCosta continued:
"He made great strides this year in every facet. He's my MVP. His impact on our team is impossible to measure."
DeCosta’s words weren’t just a routine endorsement—they were a statement. He’s watched Jackson evolve from a dynamic playmaker into a complete quarterback, someone who not only dominates with his legs but can drop dimes through the air. The front office has built this team around Jackson’s electric skill set, and the results speak for themselves. Baltimore had the league’s most explosive offense in 2024, and Jackson was the driving force behind it.
At the end of the day, DeCosta’s vote of confidence carries more weight than any award. The Ravens know exactly who they have at quarterback. Jackson has already won two MVPs, and by DeCosta’s own account, he should have three. If the league won’t acknowledge him as the most valuable, Jackson will just have to prove it again in 2025.
Jackson may not have won MVP this season, but DeCosta would have cast his vote for him. One thing is certain—Jackson will be in the conversation for his third MVP in 2025.