Following his snub, Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens emerges as the MVP favorite.

Following His Snub, Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens Emerges as the MVP Favorite

The NFL MVP award is one of the most coveted individual honors in all of professional sports. Each year, as the season progresses, fans, analysts, and players alike debate who is deserving of the prestigious recognition. The Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, once overlooked and underestimated by critics, has emerged as the front-runner for the 2025 NFL MVP after a series of remarkable performances. This article will explore how Jackson overcame adversity, including the initial MVP snub, and how his resurgence has put him in the conversation as the top contender for the award.

A Rocky Start: Lamar Jackson’s Early MVP Snub

At the beginning of the 2024 NFL season, Lamar Jackson found himself facing skepticism from both fans and pundits. While Jackson had already established himself as a dynamic quarterback with extraordinary athleticism, his inability to secure an MVP win in previous seasons had led some to question whether he would ever truly be recognized for his immense talent.

In 2023, Jackson had an outstanding season. Despite leading the Ravens to the playoffs and showing flashes of brilliance, Jackson was left out of MVP conversations. Some analysts pointed to his inconsistency as a passer and the Ravens’ reliance on a heavy rushing attack as reasons for the snub. Jackson’s passing stats were often scrutinized, as he was perceived as a quarterback who relied too heavily on his legs to generate offense. The argument was made that his impressive rushing numbers should not outweigh his shortcomings as a passer.

Moreover, the narrative around Jackson was often framed as one that placed too much emphasis on his dual-threat ability, rather than recognizing him as a complete quarterback capable of leading an offense through both the air and on the ground. When the MVP conversation centered around other quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Jalen Hurts, Jackson was largely overlooked.

But Jackson did not take the snub lightly. Instead of sulking or letting it affect his confidence, he used the criticism as fuel to push himself to another level. Throughout the 2024 offseason, Jackson made significant strides to refine his passing mechanics, work on his leadership, and prove that he could lead a balanced, high-powered offense. The 2024-2025 season would be the one where Lamar Jackson would prove to everyone that he was more than just a dynamic runner; he was a complete quarterback capable of making any throw on the field.

Jackson’s 2025 MVP Campaign: A Complete Quarterback

The 2025 NFL season has seen Lamar Jackson take the league by storm, putting up one of the most dominant performances of his career. His transformation as a passer and leader has been nothing short of extraordinary, and he has quickly emerged as the MVP favorite due to his performances on the field. Below, we explore the factors that have propelled Jackson into MVP contention.

1. Unprecedented Passing Efficiency

One of the key factors behind Lamar Jackson’s MVP-caliber play in 2025 has been his improved passing game. Heading into the season, Jackson made it a point to refine his mechanics, focusing on his footwork, timing, and deep-ball accuracy. The results have been clear: Jackson has been consistently hitting his targets with precision and throwing the football with more velocity and accuracy than ever before.

Through the first half of the season, Jackson has posted career-high numbers in passing yards and passing touchdowns, while significantly reducing his turnover rate. His ability to process defenses and make quick, decisive throws has been the hallmark of his evolution as a quarterback. Whether it’s threading the needle on a tight window throw or leading his receivers on deep routes, Jackson has looked like an entirely different player under center.

More importantly, Jackson has proven that he can win games with his arm, not just his legs. In games where the running game has been slowed, Jackson has stepped up and delivered clutch throws, leading the Ravens to victories that wouldn’t have been possible in previous seasons. His maturation as a passer has made him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the NFL, and it has allowed the Ravens’ offense to become more balanced and dynamic.

2. Rushing Ability: Still a Threat on the Ground

While Jackson’s improved passing ability has been the focus of his MVP case, his ability to contribute as a rusher remains a defining aspect of his game. In 2025, Jackson has continued to showcase his incredible agility, vision, and speed as a dual-threat quarterback. His ability to extend plays and create rushing yards in critical moments has been invaluable for the Ravens, especially when the offense stalls or needs an extra push.

Through the first half of the season, Jackson has had several highlight-reel runs, including long scrambles that have helped keep the chains moving or provided the Ravens with key touchdowns in tight games. His unique blend of speed and strength makes him an impossible matchup for defenders, and his ability to read defenses on the fly keeps opposing coordinators on their toes.

However, what makes Jackson’s rushing ability so impressive in 2025 is how seamlessly it complements his passing game. The Ravens’ offense now operates as a multifaceted unit that can threaten defenses both through the air and on the ground. Jackson’s rushing ability opens up opportunities for his teammates and keeps defenses guessing, as they never know whether he’ll take off with the ball or deliver a pinpoint pass.

3. Leadership and Poise Under Pressure

Lamar Jackson’s leadership and poise have played a huge role in his MVP-worthy campaign. After a few years of playoff disappointment and struggles in close games, Jackson has shown the ability to perform under pressure. Whether in the clutch moments of a tight game or when rallying his teammates after a tough series, Jackson has displayed maturity and confidence in his role as the team’s leader.

In 2025, Jackson has taken it upon himself to be more vocal and involved in every aspect of the offense, whether it’s calling out protections, reading defenses, or motivating his teammates. His presence in the locker room has been felt, and it’s clear that the team believes in him. The Ravens’ offense looks more cohesive, and Jackson’s leadership has inspired them to elevate their play.

One key moment that stood out during the 2025 season was a come-from-behind victory in which Jackson orchestrated a game-winning drive in the final minutes, throwing a touchdown pass to seal the game. In moments like these, Jackson’s ability to stay calm and make the right decisions is what sets him apart from many other quarterbacks.

4. The Ravens’ Success as a Team

While individual performances certainly play a huge role in MVP discussions, team success is another important factor. Lamar Jackson’s remarkable play has directly contributed to the Baltimore Ravens’ success in the 2025 season. The Ravens have been one of the most dominant teams in the NFL, posting an impressive record as they continue to battle for supremacy in the highly competitive AFC North.

Under Jackson’s leadership, the Ravens have developed into one of the most well-rounded teams in the league. Their defense, spearheaded by coordinator Mike Macdonald, continues to be one of the top units in the NFL, and the offense has finally found its balance with Jackson at the helm. The Ravens have been able to consistently defeat playoff-caliber teams, and Jackson has been a huge part of that success. His ability to execute in critical moments has been crucial to Baltimore’s ability to win close games and maintain their position as a top contender.

The Competition: Why Lamar Jackson is the MVP Favorite

As Jackson’s performance in 2025 has captured the attention of fans and analysts, it’s important to take a step back and consider the other top MVP contenders. While Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Joe Burrow have been stellar in their own right, Jackson’s combination of passing efficiency, rushing ability, leadership, and success in key moments has set him apart.

Mahomes, despite his continued excellence, has had a slightly more inconsistent season by his high standards. The Chiefs’ offense has experienced some growing pains, with a lack of consistency at wide receiver and an aging offensive line. While Mahomes has had some brilliant performances, he has not been as dominant on a week-to-week basis as Jackson.

Jalen Hurts, coming off a historic Super Bowl appearance, has continued to perform at a high level for the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Hurts’ rushing ability is more focused on power runs and short-yardage situations, rather than the explosive, elusive scrambling that Jackson brings to the table. Hurts’ lack of top-tier passing efficiency has also been a limiting factor in his MVP case.

Joe Burrow, meanwhile, has dealt with some inconsistency in the Bengals’ offense. Despite having one of the best receiving corps in the league, Burrow’s team has faced struggles in protecting him from opposing defenses, and as a result, he hasn’t been able to maintain the same level of dominance that Jackson has.

In comparison, Lamar Jackson has proven to be more consistent in his ability to execute on both the ground and through the air, and his leadership has lifted the Ravens to new heights. Jackson has embraced the challenge of becoming a better passer, and his maturation has made him a more well-rounded quarterback than ever before.