The hate on Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is laughable

In the modern NFL, few athletes have been as polarizing as Lamar Jackson, the quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. While Jackson’s unparalleled athleticism, dynamic playing style, and MVP-caliber performances have earned him legions of fans, they’ve also invited an endless stream of criticism and unfair scrutiny. The hate directed at Lamar Jackson is not only unwarranted but, frankly, laughable. His continued success in a league that, for years, rejected his style of play is an undeniable testament to his talent and determination. Yet, some people still feel the need to belittle his accomplishments, questioning his abilities and casting doubts about his future.

At the heart of this criticism is a simple reality: Lamar Jackson doesn’t fit the traditional mold of what some people think a quarterback should look like. He’s not a pocket passer like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers. He’s not content to simply stand in the pocket and make throws; Jackson has revolutionized the position with his ability to run the ball, evade tacklers, and throw on the move. And it’s because of his unique skill set that some continue to question his longevity, his leadership, and whether he can ultimately lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl.

However, the hate against Jackson is rooted in nothing more than stubbornness, ignorance, and an unwillingness to adapt to the modern game. The truth is, Lamar Jackson’s play on the field speaks for itself, and the hate directed his way has become increasingly harder to justify with each passing season.

When Lamar Jackson first entered the NFL as the 32nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, he was quickly written off by many experts and analysts as a “project.” Sure, he was a Heisman-winning quarterback from the University of Louisville, but his style of play—especially his dynamic running ability—was seen as something that might not translate well to the professional level.

Jackson was frequently compared to Michael Vick, the former Falcons quarterback who was lauded for his athleticism but often criticized for being too reliant on his legs and not having the traditional passing mechanics expected of an NFL quarterback. These comparisons were often laced with doubt, suggesting that Jackson’s ability to run would hinder his success in a pass-heavy league.

But when Jackson took over as the starting quarterback in Baltimore midway through his rookie season, the doubters didn’t disappear. In fact, they intensified. Many people were eager to see him fail. ESPN analyst Booger McFarland went as far as to say Jackson wasn’t “a quarterback” and suggested that he should play wide receiver instead. Others questioned whether he had the necessary football IQ and ability to read defenses.

Despite all the noise, Jackson simply did what he does best: he played football, and he played it better than almost anyone in the league.

Jackson’s 2019 MVP season was nothing short of historic. He became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win the MVP award and did so by setting a record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season (1,206 yards) while also passing for 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns. His ability to run and throw the football with equal effectiveness made him a dual-threat unlike any other quarterback in the league.

And yet, there was still hate. Some argued that his success was a product of the Ravens’ system, pointing to head coach John Harbaugh’s offense, which catered to Jackson’s unique skill set. Others were quick to dismiss Jackson’s MVP award as a “fluke,” suggesting that his running ability would eventually catch up with him and that teams would figure out how to stop him.

These arguments were laughable because they ignored one simple truth: Jackson was winning football games and putting up historic numbers. The Ravens finished with a 14-2 record, the best in the NFL that season, and Jackson dominated in big games. His electrifying play, highlighted by his 4-touchdown performance against the Los Angeles Rams, made it clear that he was more than just a running quarterback. He had developed into an elite passer as well, improving his accuracy and decision-making in ways many said he never would.

Yet, despite his overwhelming success, the hate kept coming. His critics suggested he wouldn’t be able to replicate that success in the postseason or that he couldn’t win a Super Bowl because his style of play wouldn’t work in high-pressure games. They were wrong, but they weren’t ready to admit it

In 2020, after leading the Ravens to the playoffs with an 11-5 record, Lamar Jackson faced the familiar criticism that had followed him throughout his career: Could he win a playoff game? Jackson’s first two playoff appearances were disappointing, and critics were quick to pounce, pointing to his inability to win the big game as proof that he wasn’t cut out for the postseason.

What they failed to acknowledge, however, was that Jackson’s supporting cast wasn’t always up to the task. In his first playoff appearance against the Chargers, the Ravens’ offensive line struggled, and the team couldn’t generate consistent offense. In 2020, against the Tennessee Titans, Jackson’s first half performance was marred by mistakes, but after a game-changing run where he dashed 48 yards for a touchdown, the Ravens won, and Jackson proved he could win in the playoffs.

Yet, even after his first playoff victory, the hate didn’t stop. People continued to doubt his ability to win when it mattered most, ignoring the fact that Jackson had taken his team to three straight playoffs and was still very young. The argument from his detractors was that Jackson’s style of play wouldn’t hold up over the long haul in the postseason.

In the 2020 playoffs, after a dominant win against the Tennessee Titans, Jackson suffered a tough loss against the Buffalo Bills in a game where he was missing key weapons on offense. But even then, the criticism was harsh and largely unfair. As the Ravens continued to build their roster around him, Jackson faced mounting pressure to prove his critics wrong.

Despite the setbacks and the doubts, Jackson’s performance in the 2021 season demonstrated exactly what he’s capable of. Despite suffering a few injuries and battling through an inconsistent offensive line, Lamar led the Ravens to one of the best records in the AFC early in the season. With victories over top-tier teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, and Minnesota Vikings, Jackson’s playmaking ability was on full display. His ability to make something out of nothing, whether it was a 4th-quarter comeback or an incredible improvisational touchdown pass, was an example of what makes him one of the most dynamic quarterbacks to ever play the game.

And yet, even as Jackson continued to put up elite numbers and guide the Ravens to wins, his critics remained stubborn. They continued to suggest that he was a “system quarterback” and that his future in the NFL was uncertain.

It’s almost as if the very idea of Lamar Jackson being a top-tier quarterback still doesn’t sit well with some people. Their disdain doesn’t just come from football analysis—it feels personal, rooted in the fact that Jackson’s success is a challenge to everything they’ve known about the quarterback position.

The argument that Lamar Jackson is a “system quarterback” is among the most laughable critiques of his career. Yes, Jackson is in a run-heavy system that plays to his strengths, but this narrative completely ignores the fact that Jackson’s ability to make plays and win games isn’t just a product of the system—it’s a direct result of his skill, vision, and leadership.

Every quarterback plays within a system, and Jackson is no different. But to suggest that he only succeeds because of the system, and not because of his elite talent, is an insult to his work ethic and accomplishments. Look no further than his rookie year when Jackson led the Ravens to a 6-1 record after taking over as starter, or his 2019 MVP season, where he demonstrated mastery of both the passing and running games.

In fact, the Ravens’ system is designed to maximize Jackson’s abilities. His mobility, ability to extend plays, and speed on the field are features that few quarterbacks possess. If Jackson were stuck in a pocket-passer system, he wouldn’t be nearly as effective, and that’s true for any quarterback who excels in a specific system. This argument is simply a way for critics to downplay Jackson’s accomplishments and discredit his skills as a quarterback.

Lamar Jackson’s detractors will continue to try and tear him down, but the truth is that their criticism is rooted in a refusal to accept the evolution of the quarterback position. The league has shifted in recent years, and mobile, dual-threat quarterbacks like Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts are becoming the new standard. The era of the immobile, pocket-passer is slowly but surely giving way to a new breed of quarterbacks who can make plays with both their arms and their legs.

Jackson is an icon of this new wave, and despite the laughable hate, he continues to rise to the occasion, proving time and time again that he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Whether you like his style of play or not, you can’t deny his ability to win games, lead a team, and make history. Lamar Jackson is not just a quarterback; he’s a movement, and the hate against him will one day be remembered as one of the most misguided narratives in NFL history.