When Lamar Jackson took the field on Christmas Day, the conversation wasn’t about records—it was about playoff implications. By the end of the Baltimore Ravens’ 31-2 rout of the Houston Texans, though, Jackson had rewritten the NFL history books and cemented his legacy as the greatest rushing quarterback of all time.
With 87 rushing yards against Houston, Jackson officially passed Michael Vick for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in NFL history. His career total now stands at 6,110 yards, a mark he reached in just 102 games—41 fewer than it took Vick to set the original record.
And while the milestone speaks volumes about Jackson’s game-breaking talent, it’s his evolution as a passer that makes him truly special.
For Vick, the man who held the record for over a decade, the moment was bittersweet. He wasn’t just happy for Jackson—he was downright impressed. “He’s playing the game the way he should be playing it—pass first, then be running it,” Vick told The Baltimore Sun. “I think he’s a better passer than runner. That’s saying a lot.”
Michael Vick applauds Lamar Jackson’s brilliance on and off the field
Breaking Vick’s record is no small feat, but the context of Jackson’s achievement makes it even more remarkable. Unlike the early years of his career, where his legs were the focal point, Jackson has developed into one of the league’s most efficient passers. This season alone, he leads the NFL in touchdown passes (39), yards per attempt (8.9), and passer rating (121.6). His dual-threat capabilities have never been sharper.
Vick on Jackson’s growth as a passer:
“I think he's a better passer than runner. Lamar's always been able to run — that's a natural instinct. The passing game is something you have to learn, and it has to be coordinated with timing and receivers and routes and you got to be on the same page and thinking on the same page. He’s accurate, threading the needle, seeing the field. Understanding what the defense is doing supersedes any throw you can make.”
The admiration goes both ways. After the game, Jackson spoke glowingly about Vick, calling him one of his favorite players growing up. Watching Vick redefine the quarterback position paved the way for Jackson to do the same—but with his own twist. For all the comparisons, Jackson’s career trajectory has taken a different path, one where he’s breaking records and silencing critics in equal measure.
While Jackson’s 48-yard touchdown run in the third quarter showcased the breathtaking speed that’s made him a highlight reel staple, his overall performance proved his completeness as a quarterback. Two touchdown passes, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 143.9 underscored just how much Jackson has elevated his game.
As Vick put it, “It’s a credit to all his success and how hard he’s worked.” And with the Ravens just one win away from the AFC North crown, Jackson’s brilliance isn’t just changing games—it’s rewriting the narrative of what a quarterback can be.