The MVP Voter has a contentious past with the Ravens. Lamar Jackson

The relationship between Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens, and the MVP Voter has been marked by a series of tensions, criticisms, and misunderstandings that have shaped Jackson’s career and the way he is viewed in the NFL. Jackson’s journey from a raw prospect to an MVP-caliber quarterback is one that has faced a series of hurdles, both on and off the field. But the most notable of all these challenges has been the scrutiny and, at times, rejection from MVP voters. To understand the contentious past between Lamar Jackson and the MVP voters, it’s important to look at how Jackson’s rise to stardom was met with skepticism, how his play style has been both praised and criticized, and how his relationship with the media and voters has evolved.

Early Struggles and the Draft Debate

Before Jackson became the star quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, he was a dynamic dual-threat player at the University of Louisville, where his electrifying performances earned him the Heisman Trophy in 2016. Despite his college success, the NFL draft process was unkind to Jackson. Many pundits and experts questioned his ability to translate his unique skill set into success at the next level. His throwing mechanics were criticized, and there was an ongoing debate about whether he would be able to fit in a traditional NFL offense.

The Ravens, however, saw potential in Jackson and traded up to select him as the 32nd overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. It was a somewhat surprising decision, given that the Ravens already had veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. The team had not made any public commitments to Jackson as the future face of the franchise, but the rookie quickly showed that he was more than just an athletic quarterback with potential—he was a player capable of changing the game.

Jackson’s immediate impact on the Ravens was undeniable. As a rookie, he took over as the starting quarterback late in the season, leading the Ravens to the playoffs. His speed, vision, and ability to improvise made him a nightmare for defenses. However, despite his success, many analysts and MVP voters remained skeptical of his ability to lead a team in the long term due to his unconventional style of play.

2019: Lamar Jackson’s Breakout Season

Lamar Jackson’s 2019 season was nothing short of spectacular. He led the Ravens to a 14-2 record, the best in the NFL, and broke numerous records, including the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season. His playmaking ability, combined with his improved passing accuracy, made him the focal point of the Ravens’ offense. Jackson not only ran the football with unprecedented skill for a quarterback, but he also threw for over 3,100 yards and 36 touchdowns.

Despite Jackson’s historic season, there was a clear divide between his supporters and his critics, particularly when it came to the MVP race. Jackson’s primary competition for the MVP award was Russell Wilson, a traditional pocket-passing quarterback who had led the Seattle Seahawks to a 10-2 start. Wilson’s performances were nothing short of impressive, but the MVP voters were reluctant to fully embrace Jackson’s dynamic style of play. His running ability, often viewed as a gimmick rather than a legitimate weapon, was seen by some as a reason to question whether Jackson could sustain his level of play in the long run. Many voters felt that quarterbacks who primarily passed the ball should be the ones to win MVP honors.

However, the narrative around Jackson shifted as the season progressed. His ability to dominate in both the passing and rushing game, as well as his leadership and growth as a player, forced the hand of MVP voters. By the time the season ended, Lamar Jackson had secured 47 out of 50 first-place votes for the MVP award, becoming the youngest player ever to win the honor at 22 years old.

A Controversial Victory

Despite Lamar Jackson’s near-unanimous MVP win in 2019, the controversy surrounding his play style and the MVP voters’ hesitation to fully embrace him didn’t dissipate. While the media and fans celebrated Jackson’s historic season, there were still lingering questions about whether his MVP campaign was a fluke or a legitimate representation of his ability. The criticism, particularly from the MVP voters, centered on the perceived limitations of his game and whether he could continue to excel in the playoffs.

One of the most common criticisms was that Jackson’s success in the regular season was largely due to the Ravens’ scheme, which was tailored to his unique skills. Critics argued that Jackson’s reliance on the run game would eventually limit his effectiveness in the postseason when facing elite defenses. As such, some MVP voters were hesitant to fully endorse Jackson as the future of the league.

Playoff Struggles and Ongoing Skepticism

In the years following his MVP season, Lamar Jackson faced a number of challenges, both on the field and in the court of public opinion. In particular, his struggles in the playoffs continued to fuel skepticism among MVP voters. The Ravens were expected to be a Super Bowl contender in 2019, but they fell short in the AFC Divisional Round, losing to the Tennessee Titans in a stunning upset. Jackson, who had been so dominant during the regular season, was unable to lead the Ravens to victory in the postseason.

The following year, in 2020, Jackson again found himself in a similar situation. After a solid regular season in which the Ravens went 11-5, Jackson led his team to a win in the wild card round, finally securing his first playoff victory. However, once again, Jackson and the Ravens fell short in the AFC Divisional Round, this time to the Buffalo Bills. Once more, questions were raised about Jackson’s ability to win in the playoffs, with some MVP voters starting to feel that his regular-season success was not enough to make him the face of the league.

Changing the Narrative: 2021 and Beyond

Lamar Jackson’s ongoing development has made it clear that he is not just a one-hit wonder. As a player, he has continued to grow both as a passer and as a leader. While his unique playing style continues to be a subject of debate among MVP voters, it is clear that Jackson’s impact on the Ravens is undeniable.

In 2021, Jackson’s performances showed his growth as a quarterback. He continued to make plays with his legs but also demonstrated greater accuracy and poise as a passer. Despite the ongoing criticisms about his mechanics and his reliance on running the football, Jackson proved that he could adapt his game and be successful in a variety of offensive schemes. The Ravens’ offense remained one of the most explosive in the NFL, and Jackson’s presence was key to their success.

However, his relationship with MVP voters remained complicated. In 2021, Jackson struggled with injuries that impacted his availability and performance, and his team did not replicate their previous dominance. His MVP hopes were diminished, but it was clear that the narrative surrounding him was starting to shift. MVP voters were beginning to recognize that Lamar Jackson was not simply a product of his system; he was an elite quarterback who could elevate his team in a variety of ways.

The Future of Lamar Jackson and the MVP Award

As Jackson moves further into his career, the relationship with MVP voters remains an ongoing story. He has proven that his play style, which once seemed unorthodox, is not only sustainable but transformative. However, the MVP voters’ reluctance to fully embrace him as the league’s best player has fueled a contentious relationship. Jackson has shown that he can adapt, improve, and overcome adversity, but the narrative surrounding his success and his style of play continues to spark debate.

For MVP voters, the question remains whether Jackson can continue to evolve as a passer and whether his team can finally break through in the postseason. Jackson’s MVP win in 2019 was a monumental achievement, but he is aware that the ultimate goal remains a Super Bowl championship. Whether he can lead the Ravens to that elusive title will likely be the determining factor in how his legacy is viewed by voters and fans alike.

In the end, Lamar Jackson’s relationship with MVP voters will likely be defined by his ability to overcome doubt and continue to defy expectations. As the NFL continues to evolve, Jackson’s story serves as a reminder that success in the league isn’t defined by conventional standards. He may never be the prototypical pocket passer that many MVP voters favor, but his greatness lies in his ability to break the mold and rewrite the expectations for what an NFL quarterback can be. Whether that will be enough to win more MVPs in the future remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Lamar Jackson is a player who has earned the respect of the league, even if some voters are still hesitant to fully embrace his unique brand of excellence.