Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens Discusses Lamar Jackson’s MVP Snub

When Lamar Jackson’s name was left off the list of 2024 NFL MVP candidates, it didn’t just shock Ravens fans—it ignited a firestorm of discussion across the league. The former NFL MVP, Jackson has been one of the league’s most electrifying and dynamic quarterbacks. He’s transformed the Ravens’ offense into one of the most dangerous and unpredictable in football, but despite his undeniable impact, Jackson was overlooked in favor of other candidates for the 2024 MVP award.

The MVP snub was a bitter pill to swallow not only for Ravens fans and the organization but also for Lamar Jackson’s teammates—none more vocal about the injustice than his fellow teammate, running back Derrick Henry. The former NFL Offensive Player of the Year and superstar running back, now part of the Baltimore Ravens, made waves when he publicly discussed his thoughts on Jackson’s exclusion. Henry, who has been in the league for years and understands the pressures and challenges of being an elite athlete, was quick to defend his quarterback and call attention to the glaring injustice of Jackson’s omission from the MVP conversation.

Jackson’s snub, in Henry’s view, wasn’t just a slight to one of the NFL’s best players—it was emblematic of how overlooked the Ravens often are as a franchise. For Henry, Jackson’s MVP snub underscored a deeper issue: the league’s tendency to undervalue players who don’t fit into the traditional quarterback mold, especially when their impact doesn’t come in the form of conventional passing stats. But Henry, ever the champion for his teammates, had a lot more to say about what makes Jackson’s omission so infuriating and what it says about the way the NFL and its voters perceive certain players.

In this piece, we will explore Derrick Henry’s thoughts on Lamar Jackson’s MVP snub, why Jackson deserved to be recognized, and what it means for the Ravens moving forward. We’ll also examine how this controversy reflects larger issues surrounding MVP voting and the NFL’s evolving approach to evaluating quarterbacks.

Derrick Henry Speaks Out: Lamar Jackson’s Snub is Personal

When asked about Lamar Jackson’s exclusion from the MVP conversation, Derrick Henry didn’t mince words. As a player who has achieved greatness in his own right, Henry knows what it’s like to be overlooked or undervalued despite performing at the highest level. He quickly made it clear that he believed Jackson’s exclusion was not just a mistake, but an affront to what Jackson has done for the Ravens, the NFL, and the game of football.

“It’s disrespectful,” Henry stated bluntly in a press conference following the Ravens’ Week 16 win. “Lamar does so much for this team—he’s the engine. People forget that, but the real ones know. He’s a game-changer, every time he steps on the field. If you look at what he does, not just with his arm but with his legs, what he does for our offense, it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen. And for him to get snubbed in the MVP conversation? It just doesn’t make sense.”

Henry’s frustration was palpable, and his statement resonated with many who shared his view that Jackson’s unique skill set, leadership, and impact should have been enough to secure him a place in the MVP race. For Henry, Jackson is not just another quarterback—he’s a transformative talent who deserves to be recognized for what he brings to the game.

Lamar Jackson: A Quarterback Like No Other

While traditional quarterbacks dominate MVP voting, Jackson has always been an outlier in terms of how he plays the game. His MVP-winning 2019 season proved that his dynamic dual-threat abilities—being able to throw accurately and run with unmatched speed and vision—could translate into winning football, breaking records, and producing at the highest level. Jackson isn’t just a pocket passer; he’s an offensive force of nature capable of turning any game on its head with a single play. His running ability alone makes him unique, yet critics often downplay his influence simply because he doesn’t fit the conventional mold of an NFL quarterback.

Jackson’s MVP snub isn’t just about raw stats. It’s about the cultural bias that often undervalues quarterbacks who excel outside the traditional pocket-passing structure, favoring those who put up gaudy passing numbers in a league where passing is king. In a season where Jackson was still on pace to break his own rushing record while maintaining respectable passing numbers, his omission was jarring, especially given the Ravens’ 12-4 record and their continued success under his leadership.

Derrick Henry, who has seen firsthand what Jackson’s talents can do on the field, couldn’t understand how such a player could be overlooked for MVP recognition. “It’s not just about stats. You can’t measure what Lamar brings to a team in a box score,” Henry said. “He’s the heart of that offense. He creates problems for defenses that no one else does.”

Henry’s comments touch on something deeper in the conversation about MVP voting. Lamar Jackson’s ability to make something out of nothing, his vision as a runner, and his electric playmaking skills have made him a nightmare for defenses. However, his contributions aren’t always reflected in the same traditional statistical categories as those of other quarterbacks, which makes it harder for him to earn MVP recognition despite his game-changing abilities.

A Deeper Issue: Bias Toward Traditional Quarterback Play

Jackson’s MVP snub isn’t an isolated incident. It speaks to a larger issue within the NFL: the league’s tendency to prioritize traditional quarterback attributes like passing yards and touchdowns over the more complex and multifaceted contributions of players like Jackson. It’s an issue that Derrick Henry has pointed out multiple times throughout his career. As a running back, Henry understands how difficult it can be to earn recognition in a league where passing dominates the spotlight, even though running backs, defensive players, and other positions often provide just as much value to a team’s success.

In an era where quarterbacks are given more opportunities to pass with the advent of high-flying offenses, players who deviate from this norm—like Jackson—are often overlooked. As Henry explained, “The league is still a little behind in recognizing different types of quarterbacks. When you have someone who runs the ball the way Lamar does, there’s still a perception issue. They don’t value that as much as they should.”

The MVP voting system itself is a reflection of this bias. Historically, the award has been given to quarterbacks who put up gaudy numbers, even if their impact isn’t as profound on a team’s overall success as other players. While there have been exceptions (for example, running backs like Henry in 2020), Jackson’s continued exclusion highlights the persistent undervaluation of non-traditional quarterback play.

Lamar Jackson’s Impact on the Ravens’ Success

One of the most significant points Henry raised in the aftermath of Jackson’s MVP snub was the quarterback’s direct influence on the success of the Ravens. Jackson has been the heart and soul of the Ravens’ offense, and his ability to win games—both as a passer and a runner—has allowed Baltimore to remain one of the most competitive teams in the league.

“Look at our offense without him,” Henry said. “We wouldn’t be the same team. We wouldn’t be in the same position. People forget how much he does for this team in every game. He’s a leader. He’s the guy that makes everything click. Without Lamar, we wouldn’t be talking about a playoff run right now.”

While Jackson may not always put up the traditional passing numbers associated with MVP candidates, his leadership, ability to extend plays, and versatility make him irreplaceable. This is especially true for a Ravens team that, for years, has been built around a powerful running game and a defense-first mentality. Jackson has elevated the Ravens’ offense into a legitimate contender, capable of outscoring opponents and keeping defenses on their heels.

Derrick Henry, no stranger to what it takes to carry a team, sees Lamar’s role as similar to that of a true MVP. As Henry explained, “Lamar takes over games with his legs, his arm, and his mind. When the game is on the line, Lamar is the guy we look to. He doesn’t have to throw for 500 yards every week to be an MVP. He just has to be Lamar, and that’s enough to change everything.”

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens?

Despite the disappointment over Jackson’s MVP snub, Derrick Henry remains optimistic about what’s ahead for both Jackson and the Ravens. As Henry pointed out, while Jackson may not have received the MVP award, his impact on the field hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates and coaches. In many ways, the snub has only fueled the Ravens’ collective determination to prove the doubters wrong.

“Lamar doesn’t need MVP votes to know how good he is,” Henry said. “But I can tell you this: every time he steps on that field, he’s out there proving why he’s one of the best to ever do it. We’re all behind him, and we’re ready to make some noise in the playoffs.”

For the Ravens, the focus remains on team success rather than individual accolades. With Jackson continuing to develop and evolve as a player, and with Henry joining the team to provide a dynamic one-two punch in the backfield, the Ravens are well-positioned to make a deep postseason run. While the MVP snub may sting in the short term, it only adds fuel to an already motivated team.

As for Lamar Jackson, his legacy will continue to grow, whether he wins another MVP or not. The accolades may come, but his impact on the Ravens and the NFL at large is undeniable. And Derrick Henry, a player who has witnessed the greatness of his teammate firsthand, knows just how special Jackson truly is.

In the end, while Jackson might not

have received MVP recognition in 2024, his place as one of the most unique and influential players in NFL history is secure. For Henry, Jackson’s exclusion is a reminder that in the world of football, sometimes the greatest players are the ones who don’t always fit the mold—but they’re the ones who ultimately change the game.