The Baltimore Ravens have been fortunate to have Lamar Jackson at quarterback, but that hasn’t stopped some of the worst takes in sports history from involving him. One of the most laughable just resurfaced on Twitter: five years ago, someone boldly predicted, “For the next five seasons, Kenny Pickett will play better than Lamar Jackson.” Yes, that was a real statement.
At the time, Jackson was already dazzling NFL fans with his unique skillset and had just become the youngest quarterback to win MVP. Meanwhile, Kenny Pickett was still trying to prove himself as a first-round pick (2022) for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fast forward to 2024, and the comparison between these two quarterbacks is as one-sided as it gets.
Jackson has blossomed into one of the league’s brightest stars, while Pickett is now a backup quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles after a rocky stint in Pittsburgh. Reexamining this “bold prediction” now, it feels more like comedy than commentary.
Kenny Pickett is, in fact, not better than Lamar Jackson... at anything football related
Let’s get straight to it: Lamar Jackson is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen. He’s a two-time MVP, a three-time Pro Bowler, and has put up over 19,000 passing yards, 154 passing touchdowns, 5,936 rushing yards, and 32 rushing touchdowns in his career. Oh, and he’s only 27 years old, still in the prime of his career, and leading the Ravens to playoff contention every year.
Kenny Pickett, on the other hand, has had a much bumpier road. In his 25 NFL games, he’s managed 4,474 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Pickett’s tenure with the Steelers didn’t inspire much confidence, and the franchise already moved on (from their first-round pick) after realizing he wasn’t the answer at quarterback. He now serves as a backup for the Eagles, where he’s holding a clipboard rather than throwing touchdowns.
Here’s the resurfaced tweet making the rounds:
https://t.co/InTpZ2y0uE pic.twitter.com/vkH4TV8Ker
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) December 13, 2024
If you’re looking for the definition of the worst hot take of all time, here it is. Jackson’s career accolades and statistical dominance have already put him in rarefied air, while Pickett’s time in the league has been, at best, forgettable.
This kind of prediction reminds us how ridiculous sports debates can get. Comparing Lamar Jackson to Kenny Pickett isn’t just unfair—it’s absurd. The Baltimore Ravens have an MVP quarterback in Jackson who continues to redefine the position, while Pickett’s career trajectory has been far less inspiring.
Next time someone feels “great” about an outrageously absurd prediction, maybe they should wait five years and see if it holds up. As this take proves, some predictions don’t just age poorly—they completely fall apart.