The NFL deals the Ravens yet another blow to add to Lamar Jackson’s suffering.

Lamar Jackson’s journey through the NFL has been nothing short of extraordinary. From his MVP season in 2019 to his record-breaking ability to make plays with his legs and arm, Jackson has become a household name, known for his unique talents and playmaking ability. However, despite his immense skill, Jackson’s career has been marred by a series of misfortunes, particularly within the context of the Baltimore Ravens’ team struggles and the NFL’s ongoing challenges. The NFL, in many ways, has dealt Jackson and the Ravens another blow—one that adds to the burdens he has already faced in his short career, amplifying the sense of suffering he has had to endure.

From injury setbacks to a lack of consistent support, Lamar Jackson’s road has been filled with obstacles, many of which seem out of his control. This most recent blow is not just another season-ending injury or disappointing playoff loss, but a culmination of factors—the struggles with his contract extension, continued team issues, and an NFL landscape that doesn’t always seem ready to embrace the level of success Jackson has to offer. For Ravens fans and Jackson himself, the frustration only deepens as the clock continues to tick on his potential as a championship-winning quarterback.

The Contract Saga: A Continuing Source of Stress

One of the most significant blows Lamar Jackson has endured in recent seasons is the ongoing saga of his contract extension. After his MVP season in 2019, many believed it was just a matter of time before the Ravens secured Jackson’s future with a long-term deal that would place him among the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. However, what followed was a prolonged negotiation process that has caused both Jackson and the Ravens considerable stress and uncertainty.

Jackson, who has famously represented himself in contract negotiations without an agent, has been faced with numerous challenges in securing a deal that reflects his elite status in the NFL. The Ravens, for their part, have been cautious in their approach, unwilling to fully commit to a deal without certain assurances. This led to a breakdown in the extension talks during the 2022 season, and the lack of a new contract weighed heavily on Jackson in 2023. The pressure was palpable as he played under the shadow of an expiring rookie contract, with both financial and personal stakes on the line.

As the season wore on, the tension between the Ravens front office and Jackson only grew. Jackson’s potential absence from crucial games, as well as the added pressure of performing with a lack of contract security, made it clear that the situation was taking its toll. For Jackson, the question loomed large: Would the Ravens pay him what he was worth, or would they look to move on, as many high-profile quarterbacks had experienced in recent years?

The NFL’s reluctance to pay top-tier quarterbacks based on their ability to win titles or perform in big moments, particularly for players with Jackson’s style of play, only exacerbated Jackson’s frustrations. The narrative around Jackson shifted from his MVP award and unique skill set to his contract situation, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty that weighed heavily on both the player and the team.

Injury Woes: A Repeated Setback

Another blow that Lamar Jackson has faced is the series of injuries that have hampered his career. Despite his electrifying style of play and ability to extend plays with his legs, Jackson’s unique athleticism has led to a number of injuries over the years. The most recent example of this came in the 2023 season, where Jackson suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss several critical games toward the end of the regular season and into the playoffs.

Injuries have become a defining narrative of Jackson’s career. His ability to run the football and evade defenders is one of his greatest strengths, but it also places him in more precarious situations, making him vulnerable to contact. While the NFL’s focus on player safety and concussion protocols has been admirable, the realities of playing a high-contact sport have meant that Jackson has repeatedly faced injury challenges that hinder his ability to stay on the field.

In 2021, Jackson’s ankle injury led to a significant portion of the Ravens’ late-season collapse, preventing him from playing during key games and contributing to the team’s failure to reach the playoffs. Similarly, the 2023 season ended in a similar fashion. The team had struggled to win games without him, and his absence left a massive hole in their offense. The Ravens’ struggles to find consistent play from backup quarterbacks only highlighted the extent to which Jackson was carrying the team.

These injury issues, compounded by the pressure to deliver under a cloud of contract uncertainty, created a perfect storm of challenges for Jackson. His resilience to keep fighting through adversity is commendable, but the toll these injuries have taken on his body and mind is undeniable. Every injury creates more doubts about his longevity in the league, and the possibility of further setbacks looms large. Jackson’s frustration over missing games and potentially losing his chance at a Super Bowl title only adds to the pain of his journey.

The Lack of Offensive Support: A Frustrating Pattern

While Jackson has been the focal point of the Ravens’ offense, the team’s inability to surround him with the necessary talent to succeed has been a constant source of disappointment. Over the years, the Ravens’ front office has made several attempts to bolster Jackson’s supporting cast, but the results have been mixed at best. Despite having a world-class tight end in Mark Andrews, a capable running back in J.K. Dobbins, and dynamic players like Rashod Bateman, the Ravens’ receiving corps has been one of the weakest in the league, and the offense often struggles to keep pace with the high-scoring teams in the AFC.

The Ravens’ offensive system, built around Jackson’s dual-threat capabilities, has often been too reliant on the quarterback’s individual brilliance rather than an overall balanced attack. The lack of consistent production from the wide receiver position, the absence of an elite offensive line, and the team’s general inability to develop and utilize a potent passing game have limited Jackson’s potential for success.

Adding to the frustration, the Ravens’ coaching staff has at times seemed to lean too heavily on Jackson’s ability to carry the offense on his own, rather than adapting the system to best suit his strengths. The imbalance between the rushing and passing game has made it easier for opposing defenses to anticipate and game-plan around the Ravens’ offense, further complicating Jackson’s ability to perform at his peak level.

The Playoff Disappointments: Unfinished Business

Perhaps the most crushing blow of all for Lamar Jackson has been the continued playoff disappointments. Despite the immense talent Jackson possesses, he has yet to secure a deep playoff run, let alone a Super Bowl. The lack of postseason success has been an ongoing storyline for Jackson, and each early playoff exit feels like another strike against him, furthering the notion that he can’t win the “big game.”

In 2021, Jackson’s Ravens were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the Buffalo Bills. In 2022, despite a fantastic regular season, they were again eliminated early, leaving Jackson with more questions than answers about his ability to succeed in the postseason. The lack of playoff wins has made his critics grow louder, and it’s evident that Jackson’s career is not just about MVPs and individual achievements—it’s about securing a championship. And for all his success, Jackson has yet to add that final piece to his legacy.

This unfulfilled potential has caused Jackson a great deal of suffering, as every season that ends without a Super Bowl win adds to the weight of the previous disappointments. He has faced the crushing pressure of leading a team that often falls short when it matters most, even though he has no control over the decisions and shortcomings of others on his roster.

The Struggle to Gain Respect in the NFL

One of the more frustrating aspects of Jackson’s journey is the ongoing struggle for respect within the NFL. Despite being one of the most exciting and accomplished quarterbacks of his generation, Jackson has been repeatedly disrespected by both fans and media alike. His playing style has been criticized as untraditional, and the narrative around his game has often been dismissive. Despite winning the MVP award, Jackson has faced doubt about his ability to lead a team to a Super Bowl, simply because of the way he plays the game.

This perception problem is one of the cruelest blows Jackson has faced, as it speaks to a larger issue within the NFL—namely, the reluctance to embrace a quarterback like Jackson, who defies conventional expectations. As the league moves toward a more balanced, multi-faceted game, Jackson’s unique ability to change the course of a game has often been met with skepticism, leaving him to continually prove his worth, despite overwhelming evidence of his greatness.