In under seven years as an NFL starter, Lamar Jackson has achieved what many players dream of in a lifetime. With two MVP awards, a record for rushing yards as a quarterback, and six playoff appearances, the only milestone missing is a trip to the Super Bowl.
When Jackson was drafted in April 2018, he pledged to bring a Super Bowl victory to the Ravens, a promise yet unfulfilled. However, at 28, he exudes confidence that this season could be different. During an interview with Kevin Hart on his show “Cold as Balls,” Jackson expressed optimism about the Ravens’ Super Bowl aspirations.
“We’re extremely close,” said Jackson.
The betting market seems to agree, placing Baltimore in a tie with Buffalo for the top odds to win Super Bowl LX. The leading contenders include:
- Ravens (+700)
- Bills (+700)
- Eagles (+750)
- Chiefs (+800)
- Lions (+1000)
Though the Ravens fell short in the 2023 AFC Championship game against the Chiefs, they are determined to go further this time. Jackson attributes his confidence to the game becoming easier for him as he matures in the league.
“As I’ve been getting older in the league, my mindset has been different and the game has gotten a lot easier for me,” said Jackson.
This development should be worrying for NFL defenses. With his performance peaking last season, Jackson passed for over 4,000 yards and tallied a career-best 41 touchdown passes.
Note that Jackson has continuously been an impressive runner, and now his passing prowess makes him more formidable. He believes that the recent addition of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins adds further strength to the Ravens’ roster.
The playoffs, however, remain a challenging hurdle for Jackson, having struggled with turnovers in key games. If he can resolve these issues, he could elevate the Ravens into a persistent championship contender.
As Jackson evolves into a more vocal leader, he realizes the importance of communicating effectively with his teammates.
“I’m really not outspoken… I lead by example but being vocal is essential, and I’m learning that,” he explained.
With a game that seems to slow down for him alongside his leadership growth, it’s clear why Lamar Jackson believes the Ravens are ’extremely close’ to Super Bowl glory.
