He's not a running back; he's a quarterback. Lamar Jackson entered the NFL as one of the most polarizing figures. Despite being Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at Louisville, many doubted his abilities as a passer coming into the NFL. Some wanted him to do drills at the NFL Combine as a receiver or back. That didn't stop the Baltimore Ravens from making him a first-round quarterback.
Jackson sure looks like a quarterback now. In year two of his NFL career, he threw for 36 touchdowns to six interceptions on a 66.1% completion rate, good for a 113.3 passer rating. In addition, he set an NFL record for rushing yards in a season by a quarterback, breaking Michael Vick's record with 1,206 yards. He also had seven touchdowns on the ground.
Jackson shattered the NFL with his legs, but he's more proud of his passing statistics.
“I’m prouder of throwing touchdowns,” Jackson told ESPN at the Pro Bowl (h/t Pro Football Talk). “I got the all-time Ravens record for passing touchdowns in a season. I was happy.”
Jackson's dual-threat abilities made for one of the best individual seasons in NFL history. He is the odds-on favorite to win the MVP and earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods. The 23-year-old is not done.
“It could’ve been better,” Jackson said. “I always want to be a better player, better passer. It could’ve been better, but I’m satisfied.”
Jackson's Ravens fell short of the Super Bowl, losing to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round. Despite so, the future is blindingly bright in Baltimore.
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