Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh believes Lamar Jackson can become the “greatest quarterback ever to play in the history of the National Football League”.
Jackson was named NFL MVP for a second time last season after another stellar campaign. He has run for more yards than any quarterback previously across his first six seasons as well as throwing 125 touchdowns.
His critics, however, point to a disappointing post-season record with the noise increasing after Jackson completed just 54 per cent of his passes and committed two turnovers in last season’s 17-10 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.
But Harbaugh was having none of it, insisting the 27-year-old will prove his doubters wrong.
He told reporters after the Ravens’ first practice day of training camp: “To be honest with you, I read the stuff. I see these guys say what they say on these shows.
“That’s OK, that’s part of the deal. Lamar for whatever reason – he gets a lot of great things said about Lamar. But there’s stuff that’s said that you’ve got to just scratch your head about, kind of wonder: ‘What’s that person even thinking?’
“But we take it personally. All his life, Lamar Jackson has been a guy who’s been answering those same questions.
“I’m talking about since he was a kid. Junior high, high school, college, the draft. The success he’s had in the [NFL], again, it still comes up.
“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?
“The vision that we have together is that Lamar Jackson is going to become and be known and be recognized as the greatest quarterback ever to play in the history of the National Football League.
“It’s going to happen by Lamar, his work ethic and his brilliant talent, by all of us pouring into that effort together as a team and by the grace of God and God’s goodwill.”
“The vision that we have together is that Lamar Jackson is going to become and be known and be recognized as the greatest quarterback ever to play in the history of the National Football League.”#Ravens head coach John Harbaugh starting training camp on fire. pic.twitter.com/1evUIkAiKH
— Shawn Stepner (@StepnerWMAR) July 21, 2024
Andrews shares Harbaugh’s belief in Lamar
Baltimore tight end Mark Andrews also has Jackson’s back. He added: “He’s grown up and had to deal with things like this his whole life. And the thing that stands out about him is he’s got an incredible faith and belief in God and in himself and his team-mates.
“And when you have belief in something else, it’s easy to get through things; it’s easy to help other people carry that weight. He does a great job of just being himself and not letting the outside noise affect him.”
Jackson missed practice on Sunday after being sent home because of illness.
