Rob Gronkowski upsets the odds with his warning to the Ravens: Lamar’s kryptonite is the Pittsburgh Steelers

In a thrilling twist during the 2024 NFL season, Rob Gronkowski, one of the most electrifying tight ends in league history, stirred the pot with bold statements about the Baltimore Ravens and their quarterback, Lamar Jackson. Known for his colorful personality and candid takes, Gronkowski made headlines by issuing a pointed warning to the Ravens ahead of their upcoming playoff matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers: Lamar Jackson’s kryptonite is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Gronkowski’s comments immediately sent shockwaves through the NFL community, igniting debates across sports networks and social media platforms. As a former Super Bowl champion and one of the most dominant forces on offense in NFL history, Gronkowski’s words carry weight. His direct criticism of Lamar Jackson, a player known for his electrifying play and MVP-caliber seasons, raised eyebrows. Could Gronkowski’s words hold any truth, or was it simply another example of his penchant for stirring the pot?

The Context of Gronkowski’s Comments

Before diving into the specifics of why Gronkowski would say such a thing, it’s important to understand the dynamics of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens rivalry, particularly with Lamar Jackson under center for the Ravens. Jackson, one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL, has enjoyed tremendous success in his career, including an MVP award in 2019 and several playoff appearances. His ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs has earned him a reputation as one of the most dangerous players in the league.

However, the Steelers have historically posed a significant challenge for Jackson and the Ravens. Pittsburgh has made a habit of frustrating Baltimore’s offense, particularly Jackson’s running ability, which is often the heart of the Ravens’ attack. The Steelers’ defense, with its relentless pass rush and stout run defense, has traditionally been the one defense that has been able to contain Jackson’s explosive plays, making them Lamar’s perceived “kryptonite.” This is the foundation of Gronkowski’s warning: that Jackson’s struggles against the Steelers’ defense are a real concern for the Ravens’ playoff hopes.

The Steelers’ Defensive Success Against Lamar Jackson

To truly understand why Gronkowski believes the Steelers represent Jackson’s kryptonite, we must look back at their previous encounters. In Jackson’s career, the Steelers have been one of the few teams that have consistently limited his impact in both the running and passing games. While Jackson has had success against many other teams, Pittsburgh has found a way to stifle his unique dual-threat abilities in ways that other defenses have not.

Several factors contribute to the Steelers’ success in neutralizing Jackson:

1. T.J. Watt’s Elite Pass Rush

One of the biggest factors in containing Lamar Jackson is the presence of T.J. Watt, the Steelers’ All-Pro edge rusher. Watt has established himself as one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL, with his ability to disrupt quarterbacks and force them off their spots. Against Jackson, Watt’s speed and power have often been a nightmare. Jackson relies on the ability to escape pressure and extend plays with his legs, but Watt’s relentless pass rush has forced Jackson into uncomfortable situations.

Watt’s ability to collapse the pocket and get to Jackson without sacrificing containment is a key element in slowing down the Ravens’ offense. Jackson’s propensity to break out of the pocket and turn scrambles into big gains has been minimized by Watt’s pursuit and disciplined pass rush, which often forces Jackson into quick, off-balance throws.

2. The Steel Curtain: A Strong Defensive Line

In addition to Watt, the Steelers boast one of the most formidable defensive lines in the league. Anchored by Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt (if healthy), the Steelers have the strength and size to disrupt the Ravens’ running game, particularly in defending against Jackson’s read-option plays. Jackson is at his most dangerous when he can make decisions on the fly, either handing off to his running backs or keeping the ball to run himself. The Steelers’ defensive front is particularly adept at maintaining discipline on the edge, forcing Jackson to stay in the pocket and limiting his running lanes.

With a stout defensive line that can penetrate the Ravens’ offensive line and create pressure up the middle, Jackson’s ability to make decisions on the move is greatly hampered. This results in the Ravens having fewer explosive plays on the ground, which is a key component of their offensive success.

3. The Secondary and Coverage Scheme

The Steelers have also managed to limit Jackson’s passing success with an experienced and talented secondary. Minkah Fitzpatrick, one of the best safeties in the league, provides coverage over the top while also being able to contribute to stopping the run. The Steelers have typically deployed complex defensive schemes that force Jackson to make quick reads, often resulting in turnovers or missed opportunities. Jackson’s ability to stretch the field vertically is a key part of his success, but the Steelers have been able to neutralize this threat with effective coverage from their cornerbacks and safeties.

Joe Haden, the Steelers’ veteran cornerback, has been effective in covering key receivers like Mark Andrews, the Ravens’ top tight end. Andrews has been one of Jackson’s favorite targets in the passing game, and the Steelers have consistently done a good job of limiting his impact. By disrupting timing routes and forcing Jackson to look for secondary options, the Steelers have made it more difficult for the Ravens’ offense to operate efficiently through the air.

4. Discipline and Tackling

One of the hallmarks of the Steelers’ defense is their discipline and tackling in the open field. Jackson thrives when defenders miss tackles, allowing him to break free for big runs or throw on the run. However, the Steelers have been able to limit Jackson’s big plays by staying disciplined in their assignments and wrapping up tackles. They have been successful in limiting Jackson’s yards after contact, which is crucial when trying to stop an offense that thrives on big plays.

Gronkowski’s Perspective: Lamar Jackson’s Kryptonite

Rob Gronkowski’s comments on Lamar Jackson’s struggles against the Steelers are rooted in this historical context. Gronkowski, who played in the NFL for over a decade, knows first-hand the value of game plans that can exploit weaknesses, and he sees Jackson’s inability to consistently thrive against Pittsburgh as a significant factor in the Ravens’ playoff prospects. For a quarterback who thrives on improvisation and creating plays outside the pocket, facing a team with a defense that can contain him is a major obstacle.

In his statement, Gronkowski emphasized that Jackson’s ability to control the game, particularly in the postseason, could be severely impacted by the Steelers’ defense. “Lamar Jackson is a force of nature, but the Steelers have his number. They’ve figured him out in ways no other team has been able to,” Gronkowski said. “In the playoffs, every mistake is magnified, and if the Steelers can rattle him early, it could be a long night for the Ravens.”

It’s clear that Gronkowski believes the Steelers’ defense is built to shut down Jackson’s unique skill set, and that Pittsburgh’s physical, disciplined approach could pose serious problems for the Ravens’ offensive rhythm.

What This Means for the Ravens’ Playoff Hopes

The timing of Gronkowski’s warning could not be more critical. With the Ravens preparing for a Wild Card Round matchup against the Steelers, the question on everyone’s mind is whether they can overcome their kryptonite. The Ravens’ offensive success in the postseason hinges on Lamar Jackson’s ability to adapt and overcome his struggles against Pittsburgh.

For Jackson and the Ravens, it’s not just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about playing smart, disciplined football. Jackson will need to focus on quick decision-making in the pocket and avoid extending plays too much against a defense that thrives on forcing quarterbacks into unfavorable situations. He’ll also need his offensive line to step up and keep the pressure at bay, giving him time to execute his plays.

In addition to Jackson’s play, the Ravens will need other key contributors like J.K. Dobbins and Mark Andrews to step up and help take the load off Jackson’s shoulders. If the Ravens can get their ground game going early and give Jackson more opportunities to work the passing game, they may be able to alleviate some of the pressure that the Steelers’ defense applies.