Stop Hyping up Lamar Jackson Like He's Freaking Patrick Mahomes
By Michael Luciano
Hyperbole season is in full swing as the first week of the preseason is just days away from getting started. It's gotten to the point where Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes are being mentioned in the same breath. Seriously.
While the Baltimore Ravens quarterback impressed with his legs as he led the Ravens to a playoff spot in his rookie season, he does need to take that next step as a passer before he can start to sniff star territory. Jackson showed up at Ravens camp with a more accurate downfield ball, leading some to compare his sidearm throws to that of the 2018 MVP.
Lamar Jackson with the biggest “Wow” play of practice so far: a Mahomes-esque sidearm throw to Miles Boykin at the first-down market. Looked like Jackson changed his release point to open up Marlon Humphrey’s angle to the ball.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 3, 2019
Lets compare the two, just for the sake of argument. Mahomes has 50 touchdowns last year, while Jackson had six. Maybe don't throw the MVP in there just yet?
Everything I’m hearing - from coaches, players, reporters - Lamar Jackson & the passing game isn’t just improving, but improving at a rapid pace.
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) August 3, 2019
TE Nick Boyle: “Lamar’s throwing tremendous balls ... You can see the whole offense meshing ... I think we got better, really fast.”
Teammates are loving the strides Jackson has taken, as tight end Nick Boyle claimed the whole offense is improving rapidly.
Ravens receiver Willie Snead couldn't help but chime in, firmly declaring that Jackson will soon be on Mahomes' level.
Willie Snead: “Lamar Jackson will be on the same level sooner or later” as Patrick Mahomes. ??? https://t.co/LC324CwZgq
— Connor Allen (@ConnorAllenNFL) August 1, 2019
Rather than saddle him with MVP expectations, why don't you just let your young quarterback develop naturally and out of the public eye?
The Ravens have a unique and talented quarterback on their hands who would be a nightmare for opposing defenses for the next half-decade at least, but his accuracy, arm strength, and play diagnosis skills aren't in the same stratosphere as Mahomes right now. Anyone online who thinks otherwise is either a Lamar Jackson burner account or the biggest Ravens homer who ever lived.