In 2019, Lamar Jackson became the second player in NFL history to be a unanimous league MVP. Now, a new chapter has arrived, and the Ravens star quarterback is primed to repeat history after getting off to another fast start.
After a contentious offseason, all is well after Baltimore signed him to a five-year, $260 million extension that makes him the third-highest-paid quarterback per year in the league.
They’ve surrounded him with the best offensive talent he has had during his tenure.
John Harbaugh overhauled the scheme by hiring offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who, in the same role with the University of Georgia, helped the Bulldogs win two straight national championships.
Last season, in 12 games, Jackson passed for 2,242 passing yards (186.8 per game). He was 203-for-326 (62.3%), with 17 TD passes and seven interceptions, and had 112 carries for 764 yards and three touchdowns.
This season, he’s off to another dominant start while being efficient and accurate.
Jackson is +400 to win the NFL’s MVP award in 2023, the third-best odds in the league behind Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes.
We’re giving you five updated reasons why he’ll return and win the award for the second time in his career.
Jackson does it all
Baltimore’s defense ensures that the Ravens would still be solid without their star quarterback, but his stats suggest that only Jalen Hurts is doing more for his team through the first half of the season.
This season, through 9 weeks, Jackson is 181-253 passing (71.5%) for 1,954 yards (14th), with nine touchdowns (27th) and three interceptions. Jackson has 440 yards rushing (20th) and five rushing touchdowns.
Jackson leads the league in completion percentage (71.5%) while being among the NFL leaders in downfield attempts. The Ravens star is averaging a league-high 10.2 yards per throw-off play-action, and on throws traveling 11 to 20 yards in the air, his 94.4 QBR is the second-best mark in football, trailing only Junst Herbert per ESPN.
He ranks third in QBR under pressure.
Explosive offense
Baltimore will run you out of the building, and Jackson will play a huge role in the passing and rushing attack.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta has surrounded Jackson with the best collection of offensive talent he has had during his tenure, most notably superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and highly touted first-round draft pick receiver Zay Flowers.
There’s more talent with All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews, running backs Keaton Mitchell and Gus Edwards, along with receivers Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor.
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken is probably the most significant addition, and he’ll put Jackson in the best position on every down.
Jackson has flourished playing more more no-huddle, uptempo offense while using the quarterback’s mobility as his greatest asset.
Jackson is HIM
In 2022, Patrick Mahomes won the second MVP award of his six-year career, making him the 10th player ever to win the award twice. His other came in 2018; only Jim Brown and Kurt Warner won two MVPs in less time at the start of a career.Feb 9, 2023.
Lamar Jackson has played 5 seasons for the Baltimore Ravens. He has thrown for 12,209 yards and 101 touchdowns.
He’s earned 2 Pro Bowls, and won the MVP award in 2019.
If not for injury shortened seasons in 2021 and 2022, Jackson would likely already have a second MVP with a far less talented supporting cast.
Jackson will get his deep playoff run
Baltimore has gone 45-16 in games in which Jackson has started, but a deep playoff run or Super Bowl appearance has eluded the All-Pro quarterback.
The team has jumped out to a 7-2 start, and the defense has smothered some talented offenses.
The Ravens have won just one playoff game since he took over as the full-time starter in 2019, and there have been just two playoff victories since the team’s last Super Bowl title in 2013.
Jackson has missed a combined 11 games the last two years, including last season’s playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, because of injuries.
Jackson will play all 17 games in 2023, he’ll eclipse 4,000-yards passing and win his second MVP award.
MVP schedule with big moments
Down the stretch this season, Jackson will face the Bengals, Chargers, Jaguars, 49ers, Dolphins and rival Pittsburgh Steelers in what will be gigantic playoff implicating matchups.
Baltimore is going to spread teams out, creating space for skill players and attacking their positive matchups.
For Jackson, can he be more accurate and efficient, while saving his best performances for the biggest and most urgent moments.
Important note
The past 10 MVP winners (Lamar Jackson 2019) were quarterbacks, with Adrian Peterson being the last non-QB MVP in 2012.
Since 2003, only Peterson, Shaun Alexander, and LaDainian Tomlinson have been non-QB MVP, and they were elite All-Pro running backs.
For more history, 15 of the last 16 MVPs were quarterbacks.
Jackson will be in the race if he can remain healthy, efficient, and elite while continuing to win.
