Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback, has secured his second Associated Press NFL MVP award at the age of 27, joining an elite group of players who have achieved this feat. The list of multiple MVP winners consists of legendary figures in the game, all of whom are either in the Pro Football Hall of Fame or on their way. Jackson’s unanimous victory for the 2019 season solidifies his place in NFL history.
In his acceptance speech at NFL Honors, Jackson humorously thanked the Baltimore Ravens organization for “finally getting a deal done,” drawing laughter from the crowd. He now joins the ranks of Tom Brady, Jim Brown, Brett Favre, Patrick Mahomes, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Aaron Rodgers, Johnny Unitas, Kurt Warner, and Steve Young. While Brady, Rodgers, and Mahomes are not yet eligible for the Hall of Fame, they are expected to be first-ballot picks when the time comes.
However, there is one significant distinction between Jackson and the other multiple MVP winners: he has yet to win an NFL championship. Every previous multiple MVP winner had also won an NFL championship, with Jim Brown leading the Cleveland Browns to a title in 1964. Jackson’s desire for a championship is evident as he expressed that he would rather play in the Super Bowl than accept the MVP award.
Jackson’s playoff performance has been a point of contention. While he excels in the regular season, his playoff résumé falls short. This season mirrored his career thus far, with impressive regular-season statistics and leading the Ravens to the No. 1 seed in the AFC. However, in the AFC championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Jackson struggled, and the Ravens could only manage one touchdown in a 17-10 loss. Until he achieves success in the playoffs, Jackson’s legacy will be more complex compared to other multiple MVP winners.
Despite this, Jackson’s impact on the game cannot be denied. He has transformed the quarterback position with his unique talents. While previous MVP winners like Young, Rodgers, Mahomes, and Montana possessed running abilities, none of them come close to Jackson as a runner. He is the fastest quarterback to reach 5,000 rushing yards and is on track to break Mike Vick’s record of 6,109 rushing yards by a quarterback. Jackson’s passing game has also evolved under new coordinator Todd Monken, evident in his perfect 158.3 passer rating in a win over the Miami Dolphins.
Jackson’s growth as a player is evident, and he attributes it to his experience and knowledge gained over his six-year career. He signed a lucrative five-year, $260 million deal with the Ravens and believes he is a better player than during his first MVP season. Jackson’s dedication to improvement and his all-around skills make him a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame.
While his inclusion in the multiple-MVP circle solidifies his place in NFL history, winning a championship would erase any doubts about Jackson’s legacy. As he continues to add to his impressive resume, the pressure to secure a Super Bowl victory will only intensify.