Late for Work: MVP Voter Responds to Criticism for Putting Lamar Jackson Fourth on His Ballot
The NFL MVP award is one of the most highly debated honors in all of professional sports, with voters tasked with determining who the most valuable player is based on a season’s worth of performance. For the players involved, it’s a prestigious recognition of their talent, consistency, and impact on their teams. However, the voting process is often scrutinized, with fans and analysts constantly questioning the choices made by those who have the power to vote.
One recent instance that sparked a wave of debate was when a certain MVP voter placed Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens fourth on his ballot, rather than in the top spot where many fans and experts expected him to be. Jackson, the dynamic quarterback for the Ravens, has been a sensation since entering the league, and his ability to carry his team with both his legs and his arm has made him one of the most electrifying players in the NFL. Jackson’s unique skill set, combined with a stellar season, led to the belief that he was not only a candidate but a favorite for the MVP award. So when one voter chose to rank him fourth, it naturally led to widespread criticism.
This criticism caught the attention of the voter in question, who decided to address the controversy head-on. In an exclusive interview, the voter explained the reasoning behind his decision, and in doing so, offered a glimpse into the complexities of the MVP voting process. Below, we’ll take a deeper dive into the controversy surrounding Lamar Jackson’s MVP ranking, the voter’s response, and what this situation says about the way the MVP award is decided and perceived.
The Controversy
Lamar Jackson’s 2025 season was nothing short of spectacular. The Ravens quarterback played at an elite level, guiding his team to one of the league’s top records and putting up gaudy numbers in both passing and rushing. Jackson’s ability to keep defenses guessing with his dual-threat capabilities led to numerous highlight-reel plays, making him a fan favorite and a frontrunner for MVP honors. Many analysts, pundits, and fans predicted that Jackson would finish in the top three, with some believing that he had a legitimate case to win the award outright.
So, when the MVP results were announced, and Jackson came in fourth in the voting, it raised eyebrows. The decision to rank him behind players like Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Josh Allen was met with immediate backlash, with many questioning why Jackson was not higher on the ballot. For some, it felt like a clear snub, especially given the unique impact that Jackson had on his team. His ability to both pass and run the football made him a one-of-a-kind player in the NFL, and many felt that his multifaceted play should have been more heavily rewarded.
The situation became even more complicated when the identity of the voter who ranked Jackson fourth was revealed. As the public reaction grew louder, the voter found himself at the center of a media storm, with fans and analysts calling for an explanation as to why Jackson was placed outside of the top three.
The Voter Responds
Faced with the backlash, the MVP voter decided to provide a detailed response in order to explain his thought process. In an interview conducted by a prominent sports media outlet, the voter discussed the rationale behind his decision and the factors that influenced his final ballot.
“Look, I understand why people are upset. Lamar is an incredibly special player, and his impact on the field is undeniable. But when it came down to making my MVP selections, I had to weigh several factors that go beyond just raw statistics and highlight plays,” the voter began. “The MVP award is about who had the most significant impact on their team, not just who put up the best numbers.”
The voter explained that while Jackson’s individual stats were certainly impressive, there were other aspects of the MVP discussion that needed to be considered, particularly team success and consistency throughout the season. In the case of Lamar Jackson, the voter pointed to the Ravens’ performance in key games and their overall record.
“Lamar’s team was fantastic, no doubt. But when I looked at the other candidates, I saw a more consistent overall team performance. We’re talking about teams like the Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes, the Eagles with Jalen Hurts, and the Bills with Josh Allen. These teams were in the hunt for the top seed in their respective conferences, and their quarterbacks were instrumental in that success,” the voter explained. “I felt that while Lamar had an outstanding season, the other quarterbacks were more consistently dominant in the games that mattered most.”
In breaking down the MVP race, the voter specifically pointed to several critical moments throughout the season. While Jackson was certainly impressive during the regular season, his team’s performance in some marquee matchups left a little to be desired. The voter argued that in these key contests, Mahomes, Hurts, and Allen had a more significant impact on their teams’ success, helping lead their respective squads to crucial victories down the stretch.
The voter also noted that while Jackson was the heartbeat of the Ravens’ offense, the team had other standout performers who were able to step up in key situations. In contrast, Mahomes, Hurts, and Allen were the clear focal points of their teams’ success, with little question as to who the team’s most valuable player was.
The Importance of Context in MVP Voting
The voter’s response underscores the complexities involved in the MVP voting process. For many, MVP is synonymous with the best individual player, but the reality is that voters often weigh multiple factors in making their decision. Statistics, team success, individual performance in critical games, and even the player’s leadership qualities all play a role in shaping how a voter approaches their ballot.
In the case of Lamar Jackson, there’s no denying that he had an exceptional season. His ability to dominate both as a passer and a rusher sets him apart from many of his peers, and his electrifying plays continue to make him one of the most unique and exciting players in the league. However, MVP voting often comes down to a combination of individual brilliance and team success, and Jackson’s performance didn’t stand out in certain key games, particularly in head-to-head matchups against other MVP candidates.
For many voters, the MVP award is about finding the player whose individual performance was most integral to his team’s success. That’s why players like Mahomes, Hurts, and Allen, all of whom were key to their teams’ playoff positioning, gained strong support in the voting process. Even though Jackson had an incredible season, the context of his team’s overall success—along with the performance of other elite quarterbacks—moved him down the ranks in the eyes of some voters.
Fan Reaction and the Future of MVP Voting
While the voter’s explanation may have provided clarity into his reasoning, it did little to quell the outrage from some fans and analysts. Many of Jackson’s supporters felt that the voter had downplayed the impact he had on the Ravens’ success, choosing to focus too heavily on the team’s overall performance instead of Jackson’s individual brilliance. After all, the argument for Jackson as MVP isn’t just about stats—it’s about how his unique skill set sets him apart from his peers and transforms the way opposing defenses approach the game.
On the other hand, some critics of Jackson’s candidacy argued that the Ravens’ offense still functioned effectively even when Jackson wasn’t at his best, pointing out that players like J.K. Dobbins and Mark Andrews played a significant role in the team’s success. While Jackson is undeniably the focal point of the offense, the notion of “value” can be subjective, and for some voters, the concept of an MVP extends beyond individual performances to team success as a whole.
As the MVP debate rages on, it’s clear that the conversation surrounding Lamar Jackson’s ranking will continue. While some may agree with the voter’s perspective, others will argue that Jackson was more than deserving of a higher ranking. In the end, the MVP award is subjective, and opinions will always differ on who truly had the most valuable season.
