Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh addressed the ongoing criticism faced by quarterback Lamar Jackson during the team’s training camp practice on Sunday. Jackson, who was absent due to an illness, has been a subject of debate despite his accomplishments.
Harbaugh expressed frustration with the negative commentary surrounding Jackson, emphasizing Baltimore’s belief in his potential. “There’s a lot of great things said about Lamar,” Harbaugh remarked. “But there’s a lot of stuff that’s said that you gotta just scratch your head about and kind of wonder, ‘What’s that person even thinking?’ We take it personally. All his life, Lamar Jackson has been answering those same questions.”
Harbaugh continued, “So the thing for me is talking about vision. It’s a vision. And I believe the Ravens, we always had a vision for Lamar Jackson. It started with Lamar’s vision and his mom’s vision when he said he was going to be a quarterback. … The vision we have together is that Lamar Jackson is going to become, and be known, and be recognized as the greatest quarterback to ever play in the history of the National Football League. That’s the vision.”
Jackson, selected 32nd overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, quickly made an impact with his athletic ability. In 2019, he led the league with 36 touchdown passes and set a single-season QB rushing record with 1,206 yards. Jackson became the second player in NFL history to be unanimously named MVP, following Tom Brady.
Acknowledged as an all-time great rushing quarterback, Jackson guided Baltimore to a 13-3 record in 2023 and secured his second MVP award. At 27, he holds a regular-season record of 58-19. Despite this, Jackson has faced criticism for his postseason performance, with a 2-4 playoff record, six touchdown passes, and six interceptions.
“He’s still growing. He’s got a growth mindset. He’s going to get better and better no doubt. But what does he have to do to prove himself to some people, right?” Harbaugh added.
Regarding Jackson’s absence from practice, Harbaugh explained, “He started getting sick yesterday midday, was in the meetings … so he was sent home by the doctors,” and noted uncertainty about Jackson’s return to the field.
In April 2023, Baltimore extended Jackson’s contract for five years at $260 million.
