Baltimore Ravens’ Derrick Henry Sounds Off on Lamar Jackson’s MVP Snub

In the world of the NFL, few things spark as much debate and controversy as the MVP race. Players who break records, lead their teams to victory, and perform consistently at an elite level expect to be recognized for their efforts. Unfortunately, as many know, such recognition doesn’t always come. In the case of Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens’ star quarterback, his exclusion from the 2024 NFL MVP race was a highly contentious decision. Despite putting together one of his best seasons to date, Jackson was overshadowed by others, including Patrick Mahomes, who ultimately claimed the MVP award.

Derrick Henry, the Ravens’ new star running back, did not remain silent in the wake of Jackson’s snub. Having joined the team during the 2025 offseason, Henry is now a vocal supporter of his new teammate. The power back, who himself has had his share of MVP-worthy seasons, took to the media to express his disappointment in the decision. His comments were a direct shot at the MVP voters and a passionate defense of Jackson’s rightful place as the league’s most valuable player.

This article will explore Derrick Henry’s comments, why Lamar Jackson was snubbed for the MVP award, the potential reasons for the controversy, and how this snub could fuel both Jackson and the Ravens for the upcoming 2025 season.

The MVP Snub: Lamar Jackson’s Historic Season

The 2024 NFL season was one of the most outstanding performances of Lamar Jackson’s career. His unique ability to dominate as a dual-threat quarterback — both as a passer and a rusher — was on full display. Jackson’s stats from the season were eye-popping: he threw for over 4,000 yards, 35 touchdowns, and rushed for over 1,200 yards with 7 rushing touchdowns. Jackson was not just a game manager for the Ravens; he was the team’s driving force, leading them to an impressive 12-5 record and securing a playoff spot.

Moreover, Jackson’s ability to lead the Ravens in clutch moments, often in the face of adversity, further solidified his importance to the team. As the NFL’s most dynamic dual-threat quarterback, his playmaking ability was a significant reason for the Ravens’ success. He was an offensive juggernaut, able to slice through defenses with both his arm and his legs, setting new standards for the quarterback position.

Despite all these accomplishments, the MVP voters decided to go in a different direction. While Patrick Mahomes had another impressive season, leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a 13-4 record, he did not put up the same level of all-around statistics as Jackson. Yet, Mahomes was awarded the MVP, while Jackson was excluded from the final list of finalists.

Many fans and analysts were baffled by the decision. How could Jackson, with such a historic season, not even be in the conversation for the NFL’s most prestigious individual award? His exclusion sparked an outpouring of frustration, and few were as vocal about the snub as Derrick Henry.

Derrick Henry’s Bold Statement

Derrick Henry, known for his powerful running style and undeniable talent, joined the Ravens in 2025 after a blockbuster trade. The move was a huge boost to the team, adding a premier running back to complement Jackson’s skills. Henry, who has had a few seasons where his own MVP candidacy was widely discussed, spoke out against the decision to snub Jackson.

In a press conference shortly after Jackson’s exclusion, Henry was blunt in his support of his quarterback. “It’s an absolute joke that Lamar didn’t win the MVP,” Henry said. “He’s done everything that could possibly be asked of a player. He’s the best player on the field every time he steps out there, and for him not to get that recognition is just wrong.”

Henry went on to praise Jackson for his leadership, his versatility, and the way he fundamentally changed the Ravens’ offense. “People don’t understand how difficult it is to do what Lamar does. He’s a quarterback, but he also leads our run game like a running back would. No one else can do that, and that should be rewarded,” Henry added. “You look at his stats — he’s throwing over 30 touchdowns and running for over 1,000 yards. That’s MVP-level stuff, and he should have gotten the recognition for it.”

Henry also expressed frustration at the trend of underappreciating the impact of dual-threat quarterbacks in today’s NFL. “Everyone’s so focused on the pocket passers, but they’re missing the point. Lamar can win with his arm and with his legs. He’s revolutionized the position, and he deserves to be recognized for that,” Henry emphasized.

This candid outburst from Henry garnered significant attention, sparking discussions on social media and among analysts about Jackson’s rightful place in the MVP race. It also solidified Henry as a staunch ally of Jackson and a vocal critic of the system that, in his eyes, failed to properly reward the Ravens’ quarterback.

Why Lamar Jackson Deserved the MVP Award

There are several compelling reasons why Lamar Jackson deserved the 2024 NFL MVP award. Henry’s defense of Jackson highlights the most important aspects of his season and why many, including Jackson’s teammates, believed he should have been recognized as the league’s most valuable player.

1. Historic Dual-Threat Ability

Lamar Jackson’s ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground is what separates him from other quarterbacks. While Patrick Mahomes is undoubtedly one of the best quarterbacks in the league, Jackson’s versatility adds an extra layer of unpredictability to the Ravens’ offense. Jackson’s season saw him pass for over 4,000 yards, throwing for 35 touchdowns, while also rushing for over 1,200 yards — a feat only a select few quarterbacks have achieved. To have both rushing and passing stats of that caliber in a single season is historic and deserving of recognition.

Jackson’s ability to execute the Ravens’ offense through both methods is unparalleled. While some critics of Jackson argue that his rushing ability limits his overall development as a quarterback, his statistics tell a different story. Jackson has consistently improved as a passer, and his dual-threat playstyle allows him to carry the offense in a way no other quarterback can replicate.

2. Leading the Ravens to Success

Lamar Jackson didn’t just put up great stats — he also led his team to victory. The Ravens finished with a 12-5 record, despite facing several obstacles throughout the season, including injuries to key players and inconsistent play from other parts of the team. Jackson was the constant, and his leadership and performance were essential to Baltimore’s success.

Jackson carried the team in several key matchups, leading the Ravens to wins in critical moments. His ability to perform under pressure, his leadership in the locker room, and his ability to carry the offense made him the driving force behind Baltimore’s successful season.

3. The Uniqueness of Jackson’s Impact

The uniqueness of Jackson’s impact cannot be overstated. Unlike traditional quarterbacks, Jackson forces opposing defenses to account for both the pass and the run. Teams can’t simply sit back and expect to defend one aspect of the offense — Jackson can turn a broken play into a big gain at any time. His rushing ability, which is typically reserved for running backs, puts defenses in a constant bind, forcing them to pick their poison: defend the run or defend the pass.

This unique skillset should be more than enough to elevate Jackson into the MVP conversation. His ability to affect the game in ways that no one else in the league can is a key factor in why he deserved the award. In many ways, Jackson has become a revolutionary figure at the quarterback position, and that level of impact deserves recognition.

The Legacy of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry

The dynamic between Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry is one to watch in the upcoming season. While Henry’s voice has been loud in defending Jackson, the two players will now share a backfield and help lead the Ravens’ charge toward the 2025 Super Bowl. The combination of Jackson’s playmaking ability and Henry’s bruising running style has the potential to be one of the most unstoppable forces in the NFL. Their complementary skill sets could wreak havoc on defenses across the league.

For Jackson, the MVP snub serves as motivation. He has been overlooked before, and it’s clear that he uses these slights to fuel his drive to be the best. As he continues to break barriers and reshape the quarterback position, Jackson will look to prove that his exclusion from the MVP conversation was a mistake. And with Henry on his side, he has the support of one of the league’s most dominant running backs to push him toward achieving even greater heights.