Jackson wasn’t the only one disappointed, as Chris Broussard of First Things First listed the quarterback as the second-most under duress player in the NFL heading into 2022.
Broussard explained why the quarterback is feeling the pressure to perform.
Why Lamar Jackson’s regression is costing him
Lamar Jackson is coming off the worst season of his career. In 2021, he threw for 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. It was the worst ratio of his career. Of course, as a rushing quarterback, his arm isn’t the only part of his game.
Even his rushing was down in 2021, earning 767 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps, had he finished the season, his rushing yardage would have finished closer to the norm. That said, Broussard is correct in spotting a pattern of regression with the quarterback.
In 2019, he won the MVP award. That season, he threw for 36 touchdowns and nine interceptions. However, he’s taken a step back each season since then. In 2020, he threw for 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Last season, he threw for nearly as many touchdowns as interceptions.
Above all, the quarterback still hasn’t signed a big extension, and his play hasn’t given the Ravens a reason to move on it with urgency. Why would a team be excited about tying themselves to a player who is regressing year over year? If Jackson can bounce back in 2022, he could get the team re-energized about having him. A re-energized team is what it’s going to take to get the money.
However, it is safe to say that Jackson missed his opportunity last offseason. His resume looks much better without stats added from 2021. That said, now that the season has come and gone, one cannot ignore what took place. Even a better 2022 season will not be able to fully erase what happened this year. Put simply, it will affect his bottom line, even if his contract does get extended.
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