REPORT: Lamar Jackson Named a ‘Tier 2 QB’ by NFL Coaches and Executives
Lamar Jackson Named a ‘Tier 2 QB’ by NFL Coaches and Executives
Lamar Jackson has won 75% of games he’s started since entering the NFL in 2018, won two league MVPs (earning 99/100 first-place votes in those years) and shattered numerous NFL records.
But in the eyes of NFL coaches, coordinators, general managers, and more, he’s ranked the fourth best quarterback and, for a fifth consecutive year, labeled a “Tier 2 QB.”
“He’s a fantastic dual-threat guy, he’s explosive, he’s dangerous,” an offensive coach said of Lamar Jackson via The Athletic’s Mike Sando. “This past year, with [new Ravens offensive coordinator Todd] Monken, I thought he took a big step and became a passer. To me, it was so different from the previous years.”
Not all agreed with the Tier 2 label, as Jackson earned more top-tier votes (23) than he has over the three previous years combined (20). His tier average came in at 1.6, a tenth of a point from breaking into Tier 1.
“I just think putting an MVP of this league in Tier 2 is being on some quarterback high horse of what we think it’s supposed to look like,” said a voter who placed Jackson in Tier 1.
The three quarterbacks above Jackson were Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes (50 Tier 1 votes), Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow (43), and Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen (39).
The common critique was Jackson’s passing and playoff record.
“He’s a 1 with limitations for me,” a defensive coordinator said. “You can win a lot of games with him. When you watched it against Kansas City, he can’t pass when he has to. That is still true. But he is still a wonderful football player.”
Ultimately, Jackson is lining up against players – not coaches, coordinators, or GMs. They ranked Jackson as the second-best player in the league regardless of position entering the season. The Packers’ Kenny Clark, who faced Jackson for one day of joint practices, is glad he doesn’t have to see him in the regular season.
