Some losses keep on with you want that embarrassing factor you mentioned in center college – they simply received’t go away irrespective of how exhausting you attempt to neglect them. For Lamar Jackson, that nagging reminiscence is a 27-25 playoff heartbreaker in opposition to the Buffalo Payments that’s been consuming at him for 5 lengthy months.
Talking publicly for the primary time since that devastating January defeat, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback made it crystal clear that he’s nonetheless carrying some critical emotional baggage from that night time in Buffalo. And truthfully? We completely get it.
Image this: You’re one of the electrifying gamers within the NFL, you’ve acquired two MVP trophies sitting in your mantle, and also you’re main one of many league’s most explosive offenses. However when the playoffs roll round and the lights get brightest, one thing at all times appears to go sideways. That’s the Jackson story in a nutshell, and it’s acquired to be completely maddening.
The ghosts of turnovers previous
Let’s rewind to that painful January night time when every thing went mistaken on the worst potential time. Jackson had two killer turnovers within the first half that principally handed Buffalo the blueprint for victory. First, he threw an interception round midfield within the opening quarter – the type of mistake that makes you need to disappear into the turf. Then, simply if you thought issues couldn’t worsen, he fumbled on the Payments’ 34-yard line within the second quarter.
These aren’t simply statistics on a field rating; they’re the type of momentum-crushing errors that hang-out elite quarterbacks for months afterward. Jackson is aware of he’s higher than that, his teammates know he’s higher than that, and Ravens followers undoubtedly know he’s higher than that. However realizing it and proving it when every thing’s on the road are two fully various things.
The actually brutal half? Jackson really had an opportunity to be the hero on the finish. He threw a beautiful 24-yard landing to Isaiah Doubtless with simply 1:33 left on the clock, organising the proper Hollywood ending. All they wanted was a two-point conversion to ship it to additional time, and Jackson would’ve been the comeback king. As an alternative, Mark Andrews dropped the cross, and similar to that, one other season was over.
Jackson’s perfectionist mentality revealed
Right here’s what makes Jackson completely different from a variety of quarterbacks – the dude apparently by no means forgets something. When Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin requested him what movie he’d been learning this offseason, Jackson’s reply was each spectacular and barely regarding: all of the video games he misplaced.
Take into consideration that for a second. Most gamers would give attention to their profitable performs, constructing confidence for the upcoming season. However Jackson is out right here torturing himself with each mistake, each missed alternative, each what-if second from his profession. He even admitted that losses from youth soccer nonetheless hang-out him, which is both extremely devoted or barely unhealthy – perhaps each.
This perfectionist streak explains why Jackson has been so profitable throughout the common season. He’s posted a ridiculous 70-24 file since 2018, which is the second-best mark of any quarterback in that span. He’s led the Ravens to a few AFC North titles, together with back-to-back crowns. The man clearly is aware of the way to win soccer video games.
However right here’s the merciless irony: Jackson is the one a number of MVP winner who hasn’t reached a Tremendous Bowl. That’s acquired to sting worse than stepping on a Lego barefoot at 3 a.m.. All these particular person accolades, all that common season dominance, and he nonetheless hasn’t gotten over the playoff hump that separates good quarterbacks from legendary ones.
The Mark Andrews state of affairs will get difficult
One of many classier moments from Jackson’s minicamp look was his passionate protection of Andrews, who took an absolute beating on social media after dropping that essential two-point conversion. Whereas keyboard warriors have been busy destroying the three-time Professional Bowl tight finish on-line, Jackson stepped as much as have his teammate’s again.
You’ve acquired to respect that type of loyalty, particularly when Jackson might’ve simply thrown Andrews below the bus or stayed silent. As an alternative, he took accountability for his personal errors whereas making it clear that the loss wasn’t on any single participant. That’s the type of management that makes teammates run by way of partitions for you.
The truth is that Andrews has been certainly one of Jackson’s most dependable targets all through their partnership, and one dropped cross doesn’t erase years of clutch catches. However within the merciless world of playoff soccer, timing is every thing, and that exact second will in all probability comply with each gamers round till they lastly break by way of and win all of it.
Contract discuss creates awkward moments
Depart it to reporters to make issues bizarre by citing Jackson’s contract state of affairs throughout what was imagined to be a soccer dialogue. The quarterback made it abundantly clear that he has zero curiosity in speaking cash, shutting down that line of questioning quicker than a bouncer at closing time.
Jackson represents himself with out an agent, which is both extremely courageous or barely loopy relying in your perspective. He signed a large five-year, $260 million deal in 2023, nevertheless it’s structured extra like a three-year settlement. Along with his 2026 wage cap determine ballooning to $74.5 million, everybody is aware of one other negotiation is coming quickly.
Ravens common supervisor Eric DeCosta just lately talked about they’re within the early phases of extension talks, however Jackson wasn’t having any of that dialog. The one time he perked up was when somebody talked about that he may turn out to be the NFL’s highest-paid participant on his subsequent deal. His response of “It sounds good” was about as near contract discuss as anybody was going to get.
Jackson performs recruiter for previous teammate
In a enjoyable twist, Jackson determined to play common supervisor for a minute by publicly lobbying for the Ravens to signal just lately launched cornerback Jaire Alexander. The 2 have been teammates at Louisville, and Jackson clearly thinks his previous faculty buddy might assist Baltimore’s secondary.
His direct message to DeCosta was fairly entertaining: “Go get him, Eric.” Not precisely refined, however you’ve acquired to understand a franchise quarterback who’s prepared to recruit expertise. Alexander is a two-time Professional Bowl nook who acquired lower by Inexperienced Bay, so he’d undoubtedly be an improve for many groups.
Whether or not the Ravens really pursue Alexander stays to be seen, nevertheless it’s refreshing to see Jackson taking an energetic position in making an attempt to enhance the roster. When your quarterback is invested sufficient to publicly recruit free brokers, that’s often a great signal for the group’s tradition.
The underside line is that Jackson is clearly motivated by all these playoff disappointments, and that burning want for redemption might gas an unbelievable 2025 season. Typically the very best factor that may occur to an elite athlete is a loss that hurts a lot it turns into unattainable to disregard. If Jackson can channel all that frustration into his preparation and efficiency, Ravens followers may lastly get the Tremendous Bowl run they’ve been dreaming about.